Misc: Been a while since the last update, no? Sorry about that. School really got hectic - and still is since I have summer classes - so it's been tough to finish this chapter up, even though I've been really close tot he end of it for months. GAH! Anyhow... hope you still want to read this so here's the next chapter. I hope you'll like... even though there's not as much interaction between Garrus and Janelle in this one. At least I don't think there's as much. Mostly kinda touching upon other persons' thoughts of the two. I had fun with most of it. XP
Chapter Nine
The rest stop on Ilium did not last long before Janelle had decided that it was high time to head to Tuchanka. Problem was Grunt claimed that the enclosed space of the Normandy was only making him more erratic and warily, so the commander let him go ashore, though she never let her attention wander from him. A good thing as the tank-breed krogan had almost started a fight in Eternity because all he could feel was restrained tension and that didn't settle well with a krogan that was extremely prone to erratic attacks.
Since then, they had long left Ilium. The break had only lasted two days, but it was enough, particularly for Janelle, Garrus, and Tali themselves, the ones that needed the rest. But as it was, the break almost didn't even matter.
For while the Normandy was orbiting Tuchanka, the only one of the three on ground was Janelle.
Which honestly was a fact that irritated Garrus.
He wasn't mad at Janelle for leaving him aboard the frigate – as she had left Tali there as well. It wasn't even the notion that he had to spend time away from a creature that – he felt – was far more alluring than an asari. And it had nothing to do with dealing with the opinions of the crew on his relationship with the Spectre.
It was the fact that once Grunt's issue had been dealt with, Garrus had a chance to speak with Janelle.
And all the damn woman would go on about was her sniper rifle she picked up on the Collector ship.
Sure, she had a chance to use the Widow against the Collectors and praised it enough that he was jealous of her. But now… he was jealous of the rifle. A rifle! That damn woman was in love with the damn thing and she seemed more delighted talking about the rifle than the last heated moment they shared. Granted, he had been worried over the issue of them and upset her as she thought he was too afraid for them to pursue their plans. But still…
Just dammit! Why the hell did he feel like he was in competition with a rifle?
To make it worse… it was a rifle he wanted as well.
And here he was afraid that a human-turian relationship was too scandalous. Now it seemed like the two of them were in some weird threesome with a sniper rifle.
Well… it was their luck that they had to be two snipers that loved their rifles rather unhealthily…
"Hey! Pay attention!" an aggravated voice sounded just as Garrus felt an elbow jab hard into his waist. "Am I here to help you or to do your work while you daydream?"
"Mind doing the latter?" he questioned, taking a step away. It had been a foolish attempt to tease Tali, but had he ever really been one to learn a lesson? He still was no better a turian than when he was younger. Actually… he was probably worse.
Not that he considered it a bad thing, given his current girlfriend. Was it right to think of her as a girlfriend now?
"Garrus… I swear… you will wish you did not ask me to come up here if you're just planning on spending your time daydreaming about Shepard," Tali growled jadedly, making Garrus imagine that the quarian was rolling her eyes at the last part of her sentence… that is if quarians could do that. "Keelah. You both are terrible. Can't focus on work because you have all your attention on each other. You were practically made for each other…"
"Aside from the whole fact that I could accidently make her bleed to death while having sex…"
"I did not need to know that. Now… would you stop thinking about your… well, you know and focus on the calibrations?" Tali said, seeming to give the quarian equivalent of the human blush – as Janelle would put it; that was certain because Tali always wanted to focus more on equations and schematics when she began to feel embarrassed. It only made the turian want to continue teasing, but he didn't and instead listened to the young alien woman… if only to avoid whatever repercussions were involved if he pushed her over the edge.
But the two of them hadn't gotten very far in correcting the mistakes Garrus had made in his calibrations – due to how distracted he was with thoughts of Janelle, go figure – when EDI chimed.
"Officer Vakarian, XO Lawson requests that you speak with her in her office."
"That sounds fun," Tali said lowly even as the turian groaned a reply.
"Is that really a request or an order?"
"Given that Lawson did not sound at all satisfied when I informed her that Engineer Tali'Zorah is not at her post because she is helping you… it would be best if you comply. That is if you were considering the notion of not doing so."
"The thought never crossed my mind," Garrus said with another groan then turned to Tali. "Look… I don't have a clue how long this will last and…"
"Don't worry. I'll fix these up," she interrupted, shaking her head and waving a dismissive hand towards the door. "There's no need really in pointing out what needs done about your mistakes. They're random. Pretty much obvious that you simply have your mind on something else. And I have a feeling that you've been looking over these equations so much your brain's rather numb in fixing the same thing over and over again.
"I'll just take care of this for you. Not like I have other things worrying me… and I pity you in having to report to Miranda. Definitely wouldn't want to have to see her about something like this."
"That's because you hate Cerberus and you'd end up threatening her with your shotgun," he said, amused.
"Is that such a bad thing?" Tali said, her filtered voice taken its own light tone. "Now stop stalling and get going before you really piss her off."
The insistence in her voice reminded Garrus that was all too likely a possibility and while he was more wary in the thought of pissing Janelle off over Miranda, it didn't mean he was any more willing to face the latter in a rather… volatile mood. Mostly because the Cerberus officer was a biotic; maybe not on par with Samara or Jack's abilities, but a biotic nonetheless. And he still held a little of the turian suspicion towards biotics.
Amazing that there was something 'turian' about him. Although it might also be due to the number of suspicious biotics he had run into in his time with Janelle. Not all, but there was a significant number. And the fact that Miranda was part of Cerberus didn't help much either…
Either way, he wasn't looking forward to this meeting with Miranda, especially as he had a feeling what this really was about. In fact, he was surprised this didn't happen sooner.
Everyone on the Normandy now knew that the relationship between the commander and gunnery officer was – with no doubt – no longer platonic. There were differences of opinions – some uncomfortable, others indifferent, while even a few crew members called them 'cheeky' – but whatever pandemonium Garrus had feared didn't seem present… except perhaps from Miranda who was clearly disapproving of the relationship – despite remaining silent so far on the matter; the glares she threw his way had been enough for the turian to realize such.
Despite being aware of the biotic's pessimism towards him, Garrus still was not the least bit surprised that the woman seemed calm and collected – indifferent – when he entered her office, almost ignoring him. Actually, she was ignoring him, the vigilante realized as she continued to focus on the several terminal screens surrounding her, typing away at something, checking over something else, and not even nodding her head or waving her hand to indicate that she recognized the turian's presence. If he had the irrational temper of Jack or Grunt, Garrus might have exploded on her; but he had been in enough battles to know it was best to remain calm, even under fire and he had enough dealing with humans to know that it was best not to provoke them, especially if they held anti-turian sentiments.
He simply waited until Miranda ceased trying to provoke him and set his mind on more pleasant thoughts…
Like a half-naked Janelle…
"Vakarian, I'm certain you are aware that we all need to operate at an optimal capacity aboard this ship," the black-haired woman finally spoke up, almost invoking a groan from the turian as he was reluctantly broken from the memory of the feel of the Normandy's commanding officer's lips on his – or more accurately the taste of her tongue in his mouth. "This is a high risk mission we are pursuing and Commander Shepard has been working to make sure we're all ready to give our all when we face the Collectors on their own grounds. We can't afford any distractions that will damage the performance of our crew.
"Especially Shepard's."
"Given that the last I heard, she, Grunt, and Jack took down a thresher maw on foot… I'd say she's performing as 'optimally' as ever," he said, restraining the sarcastic tone of his voice… and silently cursing at himself as the question of Janelle's 'performance' came to mind. Couldn't he focus on something other than the human Spectre?
"Perhaps there's no issue with her mental attention," Miranda relented rather gruffly, a glare rather obvious in her ice blue eyes – rather fitting for her 'ice queen' persona. "But yours are another matter…"
"Because I'm having issues with the weapons calibrations," he said evenly and indifferently, well aware that this was about more than that. "Unfortunately Lawson, I am as mortal as any other creature. I'll slip up every so often."
"This mission can't afford any mistakes…"
"And given how things are transpiring between the commander and I, you think that's what I'm aiming for? Given that she's already died once and we are all lucky that she still live… you think I'm eager to see her life thrown away?" he snapped a little too bitterly, but also… he didn't care. "I'm aware that Shepard is probably the only chance this galaxy has against the Reapers. I'm not interested in seeing that the chance is lost…"
"If your intentions truly were in the best interests of the mission and Shepard… you would not be engaging in such frivolities!" Miranda retorted even more angrily than before. "What the two of you are doing is foolishness! Not only are you risking the performance of yourselves, but you're also causing a distraction for the others aboard this ship! Especially the humans, given the fact that you are a turian and there are still some of our kind not yet comfortable with the notion of human-asari relations. And their appearance is not much different from humans."
"Donnelly and Chakwas don't seem to have a problem with the notion of us. And Jack's only got some stick up her ass about me for some stupidity she's got in her head and she sounds to be channeling her anger effectively. Of course… she's always angry…
"But aside from you… I haven't seen anyone really show a problem in what's going on between Janelle and me."
For a moment, Miranda seemed to gape and fall speechless. And then she only grew more irate.
"Vakarian, I don't care to hear your excuses and reasons if you're only going to continue to upset this mission," Miranda barked as she slammed a fist on her desk and flew to her feet, her icy glare sharper than ever. "While I've never had any personal grievances with aliens… I've had problems with not only you, but the vagrant, irrational quarian as well, in letting either of you come aboard this mission. I know you turians constantly hold humans at arm's length in trust and respect…"
"That would be true if I was like every other turian. Obviously I'm not by the fact that I'm in a relationship with a human," he said rather jadedly, beyond the point of caring if he angered the woman now. She was practically throwing a childish tantrum and she had to go and insult Tali. If it hadn't been for the quarian, Saren might never have been proven a traitor, Janelle might have never become a Spectre, and what happened to the Protheans would have happened all over again. Not only that, but she was a friend and a friend supportive of both him and Janelle.
"Still, I highly doubt that you are one that trusts Cerberus…"
"Neither does Janelle," Garrus cut in was a low, restrained snarl. "And if you're going to say anything about Tali… she has the right to hold hostilities towards your group. You don't threaten the sake of even one ship. They take great offense when anyone purposefully risks the existence of the Flotilla and even one ship can mean everything to them…"
"This is why I have no good for either of you. You think whatever reason you can claim against Cerberus is completely justified and…"
But whatever more Miranda felt to throw in Garrus's face, she had been disrupted as suddenly her door slid open with a slam and a very anger Spectre stormed in.
"What the hell is going on here?"
That seemed to make Miranda back down and jerk with alarm. "Shepard? I have no idea what you mean…"
"Do you think I'm a damn fool, Miranda?" Janelle continued to growl, storming past Garrus and slamming the base of her palms onto the desk. "I'm already here, aboard ship and when I find myself ready to request for Garrus's presence, I find out that you have him in your office… and you think I have no clue what this is about whenever you've been rather blatant about how you feel about 'humanity's hero' having a turian for a boyfriend?"
"It's not the fact that he is a turian. It's that you both should know better than to have this dalliance…"
"Dalliance? You want to call this a dalliance?" the blonde interrupted, sounding so furious… Garrus was just glad none of the anger was directed at him. He hoped he didn't have to worry about any of it, not as Janelle went on. "So just because I don't go for something that's 'normal'… you want to think I'm just jumping head long into this notion like a goddamn fool! That I'm about to use my friend – one of the few I have – for some sexual favors? That I'd want to attempt to not only distract the rest of my crew, but also put him in a risky situation, all for some fleeting ridiculousness?"
"Commander, I wasn't trying to say anything of the sort," Miranda attempted to defend herself, doing pretty well for anyone else than immortal. Of course. She was designed to be perfect; maybe that was enough to give her any chance against Janelle. "But you should be more careful with how you carry yourself. We're all trusting you to…"
"So I'm not being a fool by choosing to be with Garrus, but I should be careful of being with him because of how others view me?" Janelle questioned with a disbelieving, annoyed tone as she leaned back and crossed her arms. "Miranda… you're contradicting yourself there. You're saying I'm a fool, just in a prettier way. So don't try to worm yourself out of this. You're not happy with me wanting to be with a turian, you think it's idiotic… and you don't think I'm trustworthy enough for this mission now. So just come out and say it."
"I did not mean it like that," the Cerberus officer attempted to counter and disprove, though Garrus caught the jaded look on the Spectre's face to know Janelle didn't believe Miranda. "Shepard, look… yes, I think that… whatever this is between you and Vakarian… it's imprudent and more than likely a little impulsive. But it's not that I don't trust you to make the right decisions, at least in regards to this mission; your service record has proven that you know how to get a job done and done right a thousand times over. I know that you think things through and always find the best solution, but…"
"But what?"
"You've also proven yourself to be… biased. You'll jump at a moment's notice to do something to those important to you. I understand that with what's ahead of us, you want to make sure we trust you and have a clear mind, but… with a relationship between you and Vakarian once we go after the Collectors…"
"My goal in this mission is to ensure that this 'harvesting' of human life ends, that these Collectors are wiped out," Janelle interrupted with a severe tone. "The mission takes priority. Over everything else. Over anyone else.
"But my goal is to see that everyone on this mission survives. Not at the expense of another, unless absolutely necessary for the sake of the mission, not my own personal feelings.
"If you're still uncomfortable with the notion of my being with Garrus because you feel I'm untrustworthy, then by all means… call your Illusive Man, tell him what you think and kick me off the team. I'd love to see if you can pull this off yourselves. I doubt it, otherwise the Illusive Man wouldn't have spent the billions of credits he did to revive me.
"Now if you'll excuse us… this pointless meeting is over."
And with that Janelle spun on her heel and only paused a moment long enough to catch Garrus's gaze and nudge her head towards the door before they both left the room… and released a sigh.
"My God… I can't believe I've been dying to yell at her since she questioned about our little 'incident' in the GCS," the Spectre chuckled as she crashed against a wall near the elevator and turned an implying smirk over to the turian, who couldn't help but give an amused flare of his mandibles. "Tell me you weren't quiet before I got my ass in there."
"Nah… but I just couldn't interrupt a fight between you two. It's rather entertaining," he teased.
"Just don't get any ideas," she shook her head before casting a glance towards the elevator. "Well… do you have some work to take care of? There's some downtime again and I was hoping to spend it with you. I haven't really decided our next move so we'd get a little more time than last time. But if you've got something else…"
"I, um… unfortunately, I did leave Tali to fix up the mess I made with the calibrations for the Thanix cannons," he reluctantly admitted, wanting to just drop everything to spend some time with Janelle, preferably in private. But given his own work problems and the little conflict with Miranda, it would only be for the best if he waited until all his responsibilities were taken care of. "I doubt she'll be happy if I ran off with you for some 'downtime' and left her with my work."
"Can't have her using her shotgun on you, huh?" the woman said with a chuckle, but it was obvious that it was forced and she was doing her best to hide her disappointment, something he really only noticed as she avoided his gaze. "Oh well. I do have to go by the armory anyhow. I need to look over my rifle…"
That urged a groan from Garrus, one that made Janelle's words fall away. "Dammit, Janelle. You and that damn rifle. You know… I almost feel like I'm in competition here, after the last time that you went on about the thing."
"And how many times do I hear you cry out how you love your rifle in the middle of battles?" she said, her arms crossed and a smirk back on her lips. "Besides… you haven't held that baby in your arms yet. And when you take a shot… you know that until you've had that rifle, you haven't lived life properly as a sniper. It's divine…"
"Please stop. You're glowing," he said jadedly. "See? This is what I'm talking about. I never here you speak of me this delightfully…"
"That's because you're not present at the talks I have with Tali. Besides… I can't let you hear them. They'll all go to your head and flare up your ego. I love it when you're cocky, but I'm not looking to have you overdo it…"
"It would still be nice to know I'm not vying for your attention here…"
"Oh please, Garrus!" she gave a laugh and shook her head as she reached out to take hold of him by the waist and pull him in. An action he reciprocated as his own hands moved to rest behind her waist; everyone knew they were together now so where was the point in hiding it? "We're talking about a rifle here. As if it can compare to you. It certainly doesn't drive me as insane as you do. And I mean that in a good way. Like… a 'got-to-get-you-in-my-bed' kind of way."
"I'm not sure I believe that…" he had to tease and only chuckled as she slapped a hand against his chest.
"All right then… what am I going to have to do to show you that you have nothing to worry about?" she questioned, eager challenge in her tone though her expression was rather jaded.
"To prove that the rifle's no competition for me and you enjoy my personal attention? Hmm… that's a tough one," he murmured mockingly, urging a groan from the human. "All right. Fine then. Let me have a chance to use it."
"Wait… what? Let you have my Widow? I… no!" Janelle gaped, eyes wide and blinking as she jerked back.
"I'm not asking to have it. Just use it once. Maybe during a mission. Or for only part of it…"
"No."
"What? Why? Fine just one shot."
"No."
"Why not? You're the one going on that you're not a proper sniper until you take a target down with the Widow."
"Yea… but…" she struggled to counter, turning her gaze away and moving her hand to mouth, taking one of her gloved fingers between her teeth. "If I let you have one chance with my gun, you'll ask for another. I know I would. One chance with it isn't enough…"
"See what I mean?" Garrus said with a chuckle, much more amused with her refusal than annoyed. "You're very selfish when it comes to letting someone handle your gun…"
To that, Janelle met his comment with a roguish smirk. "Unlike you?"
"Huh? Me?" he had to question with apparent confusion.
"Well… you practically made me handle your 'gun,'" she teased him in a whisper, the smirk still on her lips as she drew in closer. "And what a nice 'gun' it is…"
"Janelle…" he groaned, leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers. "You're horrible…"
"Then try telling me you'd want me any other way," the infiltrator said, still with her smug smirk before slowly sliding out of his arms and giving him a nudge back towards the mess hall. "Come on now, Turian. You've got some work to do. Just make sure you report to my cabin afterwards…"
"Gladly," he returned with a soft, amused flutter of his mandibles before making his way back to his post. But not without a last glance in Janelle's way and decided that he very much liked the science uniform she wore.
Nice and snug around that curvaceous ass of hers…
Taking her M-97 Widow anti-material rifle from the weapon locker and moving to stand near one of the tables in the armory, Janelle couldn't help but give an amused chuckle as she thought on the little bit of banter she and Garrus exchanged about the rifle. She couldn't help but feel a little possessive over the weapon, but she had to admit to herself, that the vigilante did deserve a rifle as nice as this one. She would certainly enjoy hearing his enthusiasm on the battlefield if he had this sucker in his hands…
"EDI, how differently would turians handle the Widow's kick compared to humans?"
She turned around just in time to see EDI's holographic interface appear, the AI promptly answering her query. "While their 'exoskeleton' would serve to diminish the injury a human would acquire, I would still find it ill-advised to allow the average turian to handle this weapon.
"However if your inquiry is in regards to Officer Vakarian… his cybernetics would come into the analysis…"
"That's what I was hoping," Janelle said softly as she took apart certain section of her rifle, her words aimed more to herself, but well aware that EDI could hear her. "So how would the kick factor in for him?"
"Given that he does have cybernetics implants along much of his right side… he should be able to handle the kick without any serious repercussions. However his implants aren't nearly as extensive nor sophisticated as your own. I would recommend that he receive certain modifications and perhaps a few more implants to ensure that there will be no debilitations should he undergo long-term usage of the firearm."
She gave a slight pout as she started cleaning the Widow. Certainly she would go under the needle for her own cybernetics examinations and upgrades with no fuss, seeing no point in arguing when these were amongst the things that kept her alive and were improving her performance – something that would help out against the Collectors. She knew Garrus had his own exams, but due to the limited use and coverage of his cybernetics, they didn't necessarily have the capacity to provide the kind of improvements hers did. And she didn't want to give an order to force him to have that kind of capability, especially as she was already aware that he held some reluctance in having to subject himself to the treatments he was already receiving.
Still… if he did want to even want an opportunity with the rifle…
"EDI, could you inform Mordin about those modifications and improvements to Garrus's implants. And once Garrus has finished with his calibration, let him know to see Mordin about them. I'd like him to decide whether or not he'll go through with them.
"But don't tell Garrus that this is necessarily for him to handle the Widow. And makes sure that Mordin knows that. If you have to, don't let him know even that's why I'm suggesting this operation."
"Am I to take this as some sort of lover's surprise, Shepard?"
"EDI… don't even joke," Janelle groaned as she rolled her eyes "This is simply the best sniper rifle I've ever laid my hands on and Garrus is an excellent sniper. It's only right that he should be able to have the best."
"Krios has proficient sniping skills as well, Shepard…"
"But he doesn't already have the implants and I'm not imposing anything on him. Especially as I have no idea how that would affect his illness," she replied with restrained annoyance, continuing to tend to her disassembled rifle. "Look EDI, no one really has to go out of their way to modify Garrus's implants to make it possible for him to use this rifle and he's the only crew member that has expressed a desire to handle the firearm.
"So could you cease the teasing?"
"Shall I start the fabrication systems in constructing another M-97?" the AI said, neither acquiescing or opposing the request. But it didn't matter to Janelle right now. As long as she didn't have to hear any teasing for the time being.
"We still don't know what Garrus has to say about the modifications. And I'd rather wait until those are all in place and at optimal performance before chancing any risks.
"I think that'll be all, EDI."
"Logging you off, Shepard."
A sigh was Janelle's immediate response though she did not understand why, except that perhaps dealing with EDI could often times be a headache. Although this recent interaction hadn't caused much stress… except the notion that the conversation had happened out of some special treatment for a lover. As much as it might seem like preferential treatment, Janelle didn't see how it could be. She doubted that Thane would care to take on implants just to use the Widow given how he refused to allow Chakwas and Mordin to see what they could do for his Kepral's Syndrome. And the only other crew member with a proficiency with sniper rifles was Zaeed and well… wasn't it obvious why she didn't want to make him any better at killing?
Garrus had the implants and she could trust him and she knew he was eager to give the Widow a try.
Still… damn her for falling for a sniper that had a particular love for weaponry.
But if Janelle thought that EDI's silence meant she was entitled to complete silence, she was wrong as she felt satisfied with the cleaning of her rifle and reassembled the pieces.
"Must be a nice perk to get one of the higher ups looking out for your best interests."
The infiltrator almost jumped at the intruding voice and perhaps would have if she hadn't known that Jacob had been in here the whole time. He might have been silent during her whole talk with EDI, but the biotic was nothing if not polite. And that was the same reason why she didn't mind speaking her plans in front of the former Alliance soldier; he had also been polite enough to not give in to the speculation of her relationship with Garrus.
If anything, Jacob was too polite for his own good.
"Well, if you're looking for your own implants to have a shot at the Claymore… I'll go inform Mordin about your desire right now," Janelle couldn't help but tease as she looked over her rifle, contemplating any upgrades for the firearm.
A rather light laugh did escape man as he went about with making sure that weapons were operating optimally; sure she could have left her rifle's care to him, but she really just wanted some time to continue admiring the damn thing. "You know… I think I'll pass. Thanks for the offer, but I'm not that dedicated to packing that much firepower.
"I'll admit that you and Vakarian have a quirk for that kind of thing. Amongst others…"
"Like the willingness for inter-species sex?" She had to say it. It was clearly on his mind and Janelle was never one for remaining vague in conversations.
"Huh… I wasn't going to say that…"
"I know, but that's what you meant, isn't it?" the Spectre said as she gave up on her rifle and turned to face the other being in the room, keeping her voice impassive and not relinquishing any hint of annoyance. It wasn't like she could blame Jacob for avoiding a talk about his commanding officer's sex life.
"Perhaps more the notion of a relationship rather than, well… sex."
"Despite the news from a few days ago?" she pressed, her eyebrow raised in a cynical manner and arms crossed.
"That? I heard it about it from Krios," Jacob said, also facing her now though his hands braced against the table behind him as he regarded her without betraying any sort of emotion. "And Kelly as well. If she hadn't said anything I doubt the drell would have either.
"Anyhow I'm not one to go off gossip about what's going on. Too often it's utterly inaccurate."
"That's nice to hear after how everyone seems eager for more news and what not about Garrus and myself," Janelle groaned, raising a hand to massage her temple. "Still you brought up this topic. Now you have me curious about what you think about all of it."
"It's never been my business…"
"People have opinions even on the things that don't concern them. But this… it does concern you. You're part of a high risk mission where we need to work together and trust each other to see our task through. You're opinion on a teammate – especially your commander – will affect how well you can do that.
"So can you blame me in wanting to know?"
"You know… I wish that it had been part of the briefing to get a warning about how well you can – and will – coerce even your subordinates," the man said with a shake of his head then crossed his arms even as a half-smirk spread across his lips. "All right, Shepard, if you're going to be pushy about it…
"Truth of the matter? The idea baffles me. I heard you were pretty close to your alien crew in the mission against Saren. But never really thought that it might mean that there was more than friendship between any of you.
"I can understand why people find asari attractive, looking very similar to us. It would be a lie if I said I didn't find them the least bit so. And quarians I suppose even. Similar body structure except the weird… chicken feet and the fact that it's anyone's guess what's behind those visors.
"But turians? Sorry, Shepard but I'm pretty sure someone has to think you were dropped on your head as a kid or something. Not that I think that…"
"But you think something similar," Janelle said, but not with irritation. Instead she had to give a jovial chuckle. "Either way, no offense taken, Jacob. I wouldn't blame you. In fact… I'd be thinking that someone must be fucked up in the head too especially if that person had an interest in krogan.
"Hell, I love Wrex, him and his anecdotes. But as a bedmate? I don't even want to think about it…"
"Neither do I. And thanks for putting that image in my head."
"Anytime," she had to chuckle with a smirk before her mouth settled in a thin line. "So I take it that the thought of Garrus and myself disturbs you?"
"Not nearly as much as the krogan thought, but yea. Just… is that even possible?"
"As far as I know, it seems so." She had to smile again, this time feeling the her mind delve into the last heated memory she shared with the turian, reminding herself of her own surprise – and delight – in handling his arousal.
Especially in thinking that she – a human – had aroused him…
"So wait… you mean you have… uh, you know…"
She had to quirk an amused brow at his inquiry. "I thought you said this wasn't your business."
"Sorry… just… well… it's your fault you have me wondering."
She had to laugh, getting the fault shifted to her and embarrassing Jacob with this kind of talk. If people knew she was so bad as this, she doubted that anyone would regard her as the 'great Commander Shepard' as they did.
"So I take it you haven't heard what Tali's told a few? I know she's gotten the news and has been asked," she said as her laugh faded, though her torment of his subordinate didn't. Thank God this wasn't a true military operation.
"Would you believe me when I say I'd be too afraid to ask?"
"Then why did you just ask me?" Janelle muttered, rolling you eyes before giving a smile. "Well – if you'll believe me – things haven't gone that far between Garrus and myself. So you don't have to think that your commander's been taking a turian to bed… just yet."
"Could you stop putting images in my head? It sure doesn't help if you're trying to relieve me…"
"How can you expect me to grant you any sort of relief when I'm pretty much dragging you with me into hell?"
"Point taken."
They both gave a chuckle and Janelle shook her head as she turned back to her rifle, activating her omni-tool and pulling up the readouts for her weapon's targeting system. But just because her back was turned, it didn't mean she was done talking. "So I have to ask, Jacob… when we get out of this mission…"
"You really think we'll live to tell the tale?"
"That's my goal. I'm not exactly a person fond of dying."
"Guess that means you're grateful for the Lazarus Project… or maybe it's really your own tenacity that made the project work."
"If it is, I'm sure Miranda wouldn't admit to that…"
"No, she wouldn't want to. At all," the man chuckled, making Janelle glance over her shoulder, glad his back was to her again as she cocked an inquisitive brow. "Anyhow… what was that question of yours?"
"Well, I was going to ask what you plan on doing."
"Not really sure. You?"
"That's easy," she scoffed, eyes focused on her work in tweaking the systems. "I've got a nagging mom that wants to know when she and my dad can take leave so we can have one crazy family reunion back on Earth."
"I thought you were a spacer."
"Born and raised one, but doesn't mean my parents were. Both of them are Earthborn and their parents are back on Earth. We'd usually to try to get together with my mom's parents every chance we get.
"But I was asking about you. Don't you have family to run into? I mean… aside from your father."
If the comment had been insensitive, Jacob didn't impart such a notion, his voice impartial as he spoke. "Only child and mother passed on. Got no one waiting for me anywhere."
"That's rather sad," Janelle said, feeling her heart drop a little. She had no idea where she'd be if she didn't know that she had family with her always on their minds… even if her mother was being a bit of a pain with all her nagging for constant messages and vid-mails; though who could blame the woman after thinking that her only child had died… and suddenly was alive again after two years? "So no one at all has you on their mind? Not even a special girl?"
"With this kind of job? Not exactly the ideal career if you plan to lay down roots if you've gotta be traveling all over and making them wait for you," he scoffed. "Besides, it makes it easier when you don't have to worry about something like that. I'm surprised your parents can still handle marriage in their career. That is if they serve on different ships…"
"They do, but physical distance has never been the real problem for them. They had… different problems. We're just lucky things worked out," she sighed, trying hard not to think back to the tougher years of her young adult life… before she gave a groan. "Now would you stop changing the subject back to me?"
"Well, you're prying into my life, can't I pry into yours?"
"I'm your commander…"
"And you've been rather informal this whole time. Not at all like a conventional commander would be…"
Another groan left her lips as she turned a glare onto the Cerberus soldier. "And you were complaining about my being able to coerce…"
"Guess I've been around you enough to learn a few tricks."
"Great… at this rate, my entire crew will outdo me."
"If that means being killed and coming back to life, I doubt it, but Shepard… now you have me curious. So what are you thinking about you and Vakarian? You think the two of you are going to last after this mission?"
"We'll have the Reapers to deal with. He's been with me this far. I doubt he'll abandon me now…"
"And after that?"
"I suppose we'll have to see… and I can't help but hold a bit of eternal optimism. With this kind of career, it sure doesn't help to go around with a little black rain cloud over your head.
"You should remember that," she pointed out, collapsing her rifle and replacing it in the locker. "What's the point in putting your life on the line if you've got nothing personal you're fighting for? 'Noble,' ambiguous concepts don't always work for the human mind.
"Fighting for 'the greater good' is all and well, but if I didn't have a family to go home to… I doubt my survival and this fight would matter as much to me. And the thought that there will hopefully be more in store between Garrus and myself… that certainly gives me more of a desire to prove everyone wrong in calling this a suicide mission."
"There's good and bad points to every reason though, Shepard," Jacob said as if too cautious to accept her personal philosophy. "And I know I don't need to tell you that life doesn't follow the 'happily ever after' script. Though… I suppose a little optimistic desire never hurt anyone," he shrugged as Janelle came to lean by the bulkhead next to him.
"Good. I hope you apply that little theory to life and now… I've gotta pry since you've been digging into my thoughts about Garrus and the situation with my family while all this time I've only got vague answers from you," she said, her brows cocked and arms crossed, letting him know that she was going to get an answer. "This whole 'better to not have someone waiting for you' outlook… you get this way by a certain girl's rejection?"
"What makes you think that?" If he was trying to make her question her theory, he failed. All because she had noticed the subtle jerk his shoulders gave.
"I've got the feeling you think this way not just because of issues with your family. You're rather… impassive about that, but the way you talk about having a girl… you sound a little more defensive. And lately… I've been getting the impression that there's a bit of a strain between you and Miranda."
"If you're worried about our ability in the mission…" he began, ignoring his work and turning to face her.
"No, that's not it," the infiltrator interrupted, shaking her head. "I can see that neither of you are going to cause some sort of problem when we're in a high-risk situation. But… it's the fact that when you regard each other, it's with a rather… forced impersonal approach. And if you've been working with each other for years… just doesn't seem right that it almost appears like you're avoiding something with each other…"
"You make it a habit to nitpick the lives of your crew?" Jacob took his chance to cut in as well, his brow arched, but there was a subtleness about his air that came off more amusing than incensed.
"Only when they are just begging for me to," she returned with a smirk before letting it drop. "Look, if you don't want to say anything, I'll drop it. Just…"
"You don't understand why it'd be like this when here you and Vakarian are just throwing caution to the wind with your own relationship?"
"Uh… a little I suppose. I mean, first off, it's not like while you were with Cerberus you would have been under any fraternization regs…"
"No, but it's still not something they like to see happen. Won't tell you otherwise, but you can sense it. Like I'm sure you could figure that Miranda's not at all found of the… chemistry going on between you and the turian…"
"Yea… I noticed," Janelle rolled her eyes and grumbled, recalling her irritation when she told EDI to comm Garrus to come to her room after she had cleaned up and changed after the run on Tuchanka… and found out that the turian had been called into Miranda's office as soon as the commander had arrived on the ship. Knowing that the Cerberus officer – and someone who she only begrudgingly accepted as her second-in-command – had called the gunnery officer into her office to keep him and the commander from seeing each other immediately, it just had set off Janelle's temper, sick of people dodging around issues rather than confronting them head on.
And it was starting to rouse her temper again. So she returned the subject to something other than Miranda's thoughts on the commander and gunnery chief. "So… was there something between you two?"
"It was going somewhere… then it went nowhere," the biotic said with simple nonchalance, like this thought had completely no concern to him. Janelle had to admit… she admired how maturely this man seemed to handle situations. "But don't worry, Shepard. It's not an issue and it won't come in the way of the mission…"
"I already said that wasn't the concern," she shook her head then asked softly. "Do you wish it went somewhere?"
"I don't look for something I feel is unattainable, Shepard. And I don't like getting in the way of things when things are better off without me. Things are complicated enough. I'm not looking to add to that." He paused and gave a bit of a smirk. "You've added enough for the whole crew, I'd say."
"Jeez… thanks," the commander rolled her eyes before giving a sigh and shoving herself away from the wall. "As long as you're fine about how things are, but Jacob… I wouldn't discredit yourself too soon.
"I'm pretty sure you deserve just as much as you think Miranda does…"
"I… you…" the other former marine began in speechlessness, his eyes blinking, before he shook his head and gave a strained chuckle. "Well, Shepard… you really aren't like any commander I've known…"
"Good to know that at least I'll leave an impression when all is said and done," Janelle said with a soft scoff before turning and waving a hand. "I suppose I'll see you later then, Jacob. And hopefully you'll be a bit more optimistic then."
She heard no more than a rather startled 'Later' as she left , giving a soft laugh to herself as she walked down the corridor between the armory and the science lab. She wasn't surprised to see Mordin already back to analyzing data after the skirmish on Tuchanka. And she was a little glad to be honest, given what the data probably entailed.
As much as it might be dangerous to cure the genophage, Janelle did not think that fear was enough to justify the affliction's existence. She did want to see that Wrex and his people didn't have to suffer this way anymore.
"Shepard. Glad to see you. Wanted to talk."
Broken from her attempts at looking over what further could be improved with their weaponry, armor, and the like, Janelle quickly spun her head around to face Mordin, quirking an eyebrow as she noticed him walk away from his lab table. She had long noticed that he rarely was more than arm's length from his data even when conversing with her. Only when he had a personal concern did he move away from his work. Like with Maelon.
She didn't think that Mordin would really be that concerned over modifying Garrus's implants.
"Oh? Did you want to talk about what I told EDI to forward to you?" she still asked, uncertain why else he now stood before her. And she didn't like that smile. "Is there an issue?"
"No. Didn't see problems. No need to talk. Only reminded of a medical matter."
That only made the human's brow furrow. "If it's a medical matter and it's not about the implants…"
"Reminded of danger involved in mission," the salarian went on Janelle gave the slightest trail to her words. But while the commander had grown accustomed to his fast-paced speech, she now noticed that there were subtle pauses in his words, lengthen intakes of breath. "And different species react differently to stress." All Janelle could do was blink with confusion… before she felt her eyes go wide with Mordin's next words, returning to their usual rapid pace. "Sexual activity normal stress release for humans and turians. Still recommend caution. Warn of chafing."
"Chafing?" she heard herself blurt out. Not because such a thought hadn't crossed her mind before, but the simple fact that Mordin had just come out about it like that. Of course, especially after the talk with Jacob, what else was she to expect given that little 'tussle' not too long ago? And Mordin did seem more likely to mention any medical concerns about where this was going compared to Chakwas. Plus she did need to speak on these matters, certainly. But still…
Did it have to be now?
"Yes. Assumed you were unaware and rumors were… ahem, not fully accurate," the scientist said, raising a curled hand to his mouth and giving a faked cough. But whatever 'unease' the salarian might be finding did not stall his constant talk. "Didn't hear you request analgesic. Almost certainly would be an immediate request…"
"Okay! Mordin! You can stop!" Again, she couldn't help but let her startled self blurt out, this time raising her hands in an urging halting gesture. She then took a few deep, slow breaths, calming herself before speaking again, albeit not with such a frightened manner. "Mordin, you made your point. You don't have to go on.
"But if you're trying to scare me into backing down… that's not going to happen," she said, but bit the inside of her cheek. She wasn't scared of some chafing – and she didn't want to have to think it was a great cause of concern – but she was worried about Garrus. He already expressed his reluctance in sex for the fact that he was worried about hurting her. She didn't want to think that he might be right, because she was too terrified to lose this chance with the turian.
"I care too much about Garrus to do that to him," she added, softer, knowing that if Mordin was right, there was no way they were walking out of this 'unscathed' – emotionally or physically, it seemed. But if that was the way it was going to be, she didn't want to have to turn her back on Garrus. She'd rather stick by him and do what she could to ease the guilt he might have, assure him that there was no reason to be so.
She wasn't letting either of them lose each other this time.
"Of course. Hormones. Regardless, come see me later. May need analgesic…"
"Yea… later," she muttered quickly, quickly turning to leave then thought otherwise. She bit her lower lip, thinking about Garrus's concerns and realizing she was being stupid and immature. Giving a sigh, she turned back to face the salarian. "Um, Mordin… I did figure there might be some complications, so… anything you have to say?"
And he only seemed glad to comply. "Turians based on dextro-amino acids. Human ingestion of tissue could provoke allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock possible. So don't…" – again he gave that uneasy, fake cough – "ingest."
"Well… I guess there goes that idea," Janelle said rather quickly with a hint of disappointment, watching as Mordin regarded her with amusement. She just gave a shrug. "What? I wasn't going to rule it out just because he's turian."
The amused grin simply remained on the doctors mouth even as he turned his attention to his omni-tool as he keyed in commands. For what, Janelle was honestly bowled over. "Also forwarding advice booklet to your quarters. Valuable diagrams, positions comfortable for both species, erogenous zones, overviews."
"Wow… you were prepared for the circumstance pretty quick," she had to admit, giving a staggered blink.
"Not all. Can supply oils or ointments to reduce discomfort. Gave EDI electronic relationship aid demonstration vids to use as necessary."
"My god, Mordin… what the hell?" Janelle had to give a groan, her hand reaching towards her forehead. "All right… I get it. You've got plenty of aid. Okay. But for now, I'm gonna go… before Kelly ends up asking me why I'm blushing so much.
"Though I really can't believe how you have this much stuff stockpiled especially so quickly…"
"Hardly quickly, Shepard," the salarian shook his head, making Janelle's eyes grow wide. "Noticed sexual tensions were high between you and Vakarian since his arrival. Felt certain that sexual activity would occur since first stop at Ilium. Had time since then."
"Mordin… I swear…" But whatever threat was dangling on the edge of her tongue, it went unsaid as she instead just shook her head. "I suppose I should say thanks, but excuse me if I don't for the sake of embarrassment."
Though she was about to turn and walk away at that moment, Janelle paused as the salarian gave a soft chuckle.
"Enjoy yourself while possible, Shepard. Will be here studying cell reproduction. Much simpler. Less alcohol and mood music required."
"I really pity you salarians," was all she murmured, mostly to herself, before turning and heading out. As much as she understood what Mordin was getting at, she wasn't about to forgo a relationship because it might be problematic.
Of course… as she reached her cabin the problems regarding this relationship were blazing in her mind the moment she looked to her terminal.
"Oh hell…" she said as she sat down at the desk and had to see if Mordin was true on his word. "For fuck's sake…" He was. She gave a groan, unbelieving that this was real. That on her terminal screen were pictures and diagrams of turians of a nature she never before thought she would look upon.
Well, that is until she realized that a certain turian was driving her mad.
"Oh, who the hell am I trying to kid?" she muttered to herself as a smirk spread across her lips, scanning through the images. She'd done the same sort of thing before, back with her first boyfriends. And she had to agree with Garrus; if possible, she'd like to make things proceed as smoothly as possible. Like hell was she going to let herself be the one to mess things up.
Or refuse herself from taking a bit of aid for those fantasies she'd been having lately of the turian down in the main battery…
In regards to the multiple encounters he was having today, Garrus had to say the day was going horribly.
As much as it was good to be on another suicidal mission with some friendly faces, it would have been nice if Tali didn't necessarily get agitated so easily, compared to two years ago; at least she seemed to cut him some slack with how things were proceeding with him and the commander… compared to others.
Particularly Miranda.
If it hadn't been for Janelle storming in there and reminding the Cerberus officer exactly why she was capable with this mission, he'd be annoyed by that meeting much more than he was. But too bad the infiltrator had to set things up so that he had one meeting that annoyed, shocked, and embarrassed him: the run-in with Mordin. He thought he was going for some talk on his cybernetics… instead he walked right into a sex talk with the salarian. As much as he knew his relationship with Janelle was going to attract this sort of attention, the former C-Sec agent wasn't exactly expecting to be offered 'relationship aid vids' and the like. Figures that Mordin would be that sort of person.
But at least he was out of the tech labs and – after noticing a knowing look from Kelly – on his way to Janelle's quarters, hoping to have some decent downtime with the woman for once.
Although that was stalled as Garrus came to locked doors.
"You'll have to wait, Officer Vakarian," EDI's disemboweled, electronic voice greeted him as he realized he couldn't enter just yet. "Commander Shepard is not exactly prepared for company at the moment."
That sounded rather… intriguing. Although it was probably just some wishful thinking on his part.
"All right. But she did instruct me to come up here once I could…"
"I am aware of the instructions. And I have informed her…"
"Oh just shut up, EDI," Janelle interrupted as the door came open, revealing the woman's disgruntled expression. "Who ever thought that having thinking computers would be a good idea?" she muttered as she looked over at the turian and nudged her head inside. "Well… you just gonna stand there? Door's open."
"Glad for it," Garrus said with a nod as he stepped in, giving a flutter of his mandibles as relief washed over him with the closing of the door. After having spent most of the last few days in others' company and most of today with encounters that were far from ideal, it was nice to now have some time with Janelle… even if she looked like she was dealing with the weight of the galaxy on her shoulders.
Technically, she was…
"You look like you could use a drink," he said, watching as she massaged her temples after having crashed back into her chair. He wished he could help ease the headache, but he doubted that his talons could do a decent job with that.
"Please… don't tempt me," she muttered with closed eyes. "If I start drinking, I probably won't stop until I have you on my bed now rather than later." She gave a sigh and let her hands fall away from her face before gazing up at him as he leaned against her desk. "Sorry. Just I had a run-in I wasn't expecting and…"
"With Mordin?"
"Huh? Uh… yea," she said with a nod looking baffled before giving another groan and slumping further in her chair. "Don't tell me… he had that talk with you as well."
"In regards to our plans to 'blow some steam,'" he said, finding it hard not to find some amusement in the situation now as he reached down a pulled Janelle up from her seat. She gave a slight gasp before he pulled her against him and then her delicious lips turned up into a smirk. One he couldn't help but want to wipe away. "So is that why the door was locked? Looking up some porn?"
"I… what?" The infiltrator gave a jerk before slapping her hand against the turian's chest as he gave a chuckle, the human not at all looking thrilled. "Watch with your teasing, Turian. I'm still your commanding officer…" she warned, jabbing a finger against his chest.
But he couldn't help but rise to the bait. "You're getting defensive, Janelle. And given what you were saying earlier... it's either that or whatever Mordin sent. That just makes me curious," Garrus said with a chuckle, leaning over to look at her terminal screen.
"Garrus! Stop!" He barely had a chance to reach over to bring up any programs she still had running before the turian found himself swung around and swiftly shoved down into the chair Janelle had occupied earlier.
And again she was smirking.
"You know… you've being rather insubordinate with your commander lately…"
"Already told you. I'm not a 'good' turian," he had to reply as his mandibles quivered rather eagerly and his hands went around her waist as she moved to sit atop his lap. "Definitely not a good turian…"
"What am I ever going to do with you?" she murmured back, her arms slipping around his neck as she leaned forward, touching her lips to his. It was hard not to give what humans called a 'purr,' feeling that moist, warm mouth of hers against his. "You know… I think you're in need of some punishment if you're going to keep up this attitude of yours."
"Oh? So you're going to admit that you have cruel tastes now?" he spoke into her mouth, unable to hide the chuckle he gave as her body gave a shudder and jerked away. Even if she was glaring at him.
"Don't start that up again. How am I supposed to run a smooth operation when my gunnery chief insists on being defiant? If you're going to continue to be that way… I am going to have to punish you, you know…"
"Don't," Garrus said in a low rumble as he pulled her back towards him, bring her mouth back against his. He still felt like a clumsy fool, carefully trying to match her mouth's movements. But he was met with no rebuke to his inept kiss, not as she gave a moan and her body grew restless… making him give a groan. "You're torturous enough as it is…"
"Oh?" was all that she said, slipping her lips from his and instead giving feather-light kisses on his scarred mandible, making him twitch and jerk rather edgily.
"You're making it harder to deal with this wait…"
"I wish you'd stop reminding me about the wait as well," she said with a sigh, pulling away and giving a bit of a pout. "You think I've had it easy on the last two missions without you? Even though I think it might have been worse. But I still would have liked to be able to pull you aside during those missions when I got some wild craving for you and do something to allay it, even if just for a bit."
"So is that what this is about?"
"Very much so."
"Working?"
"No," she said with a scoff. "Dammit, Garrus. I hate that you're making me wait like this…"
"Sorry, Janelle," he whispered, once more pulling her back down to him. "I still need some time to feel ready."
"And drive me more crazy, huh? That's all this really is about, isn't it?" she growled as she kissed him once more, this time much more impatient and aggressively. "Have Commander Shepard begging for you…"
"Sounds very intriguing, I have to admit," he said, grabbing her ass and enjoying the gasp she gave as she broke away from his mouth. "Would be something to brag about instead of saying I served under Commander Shepard…
"Say she served me for once…"
"You cocky bastard," Janelle snapped before she returned to her fervent kissing. "If you're driving me insane for that… damn you if you think I'm letting you not have your own sense of torture…"
"I already do…"
But the torture of Janelle's alluring body wasn't all he was going to deal with. Not as the abrupt sound of doors opening broke them from their kiss to spin around and gaze speechlessly and wide-eyed at the intruder.
But their interrupted kiss was soon forgotten as they noted the stance of the unexpected visitor.
Tali usually conveyed an air of stubborn determination, even more so these days. It was easily forgotten now that the quarian ever had to wonder how other species would treat her; she never seemed to let uncertainty show.
Although as she stood just beyond them, wringing her hands and shifting uneasily, it was impossible to realize that something was utterly wrong with the genius engineer.
"Tali? What is it? What's wrong?" Janelle asked, immediately, but still reluctantly prying away from Garrus to approach their friend. "You look… scared…"
"Honestly, Shepard… I am," the quarian nodded. "I've been called back to the Fleet. I've been accused of treason."
Endnote: Hope the ending isn't too abrupt or what not. It's 5AM and i should totally be asleep... but I wanted to get this posted. Horrible, I know, but that's the way I am.
So I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. I had to throw in some sort of fight between Garrus and Janelle over the Widow because with Garrus shouting 'I love this rifle!' mid-battle, I imagined he'd want a chance with the Widow, which even I'd kill for. XP I seriously do love playing as Infiltrator for that slowdown when zoomed in and the ability to have that beautiful rifle. XP
Hope the moments with Miranda, Jacob, and Mordin were nice as well. I enjoyed having Miranda yelling and getting yelled at. And working with Mordin was just... weird. Not used to working with his kind of character much, I guess. And Jacob... I don't know what to say about Jacob. Maybe something later... I is sleepy.
Well... R&R... hope that you like and are waiting for the next chapter, which thankfully will be pretty short so hopefully I can get it done in a few weeks.