Casey wasn't sure how long they'd been dancing: it had probably been no more than a couple of minutes, but her heart had been hammering the entire time. At one point Garrus seemed like he might have been about to move his hands, so Casey took a breath and looked up into his eyes. She didn't say anything, but kept eye contact, and his hands stayed where they were.

Suddenly there was a crash behind them, and Casey turned her head to see Tali and the drunk Turian fall off the stage. They both got up, giggling, and continued to dance. Tali waved at Casey and Garrus, and so did the other Turian, though it was pretty clear he actually had no idea who he was waving to. He was also wearing what looked like a wizard's hat. Casey let her eyes roam over the crowd: Miranda and Shepard were dancing together at the other side of the dance floor, with Jacob and Kasumi not far away from them. Kasumi was attempting to drape herself over Jacob, but he seemed completely oblivious to her advances.

"Everyone seems to be having fun," Garrus purred in her ear.

Casey nodded, turning back to face him.

"I didn't get a chance to say, you look lovely tonight," Garrus added. Casey smiled, mentally reminding herself to thank Kasumi for the makeover. Her tangles of red hair had been tidied, and now a waterfall of glossy locks swayed around her shoulders. Her eyes had been outlined in black by Kasumi's deft fingers, and the little red dress she'd borrowed left very little to the imagination.

The music slowed, and all around them couples were entwining. She moved closer to Garrus, whose entire body seemed to stiffen. Eventually, though, he relaxed, and the two of them swayed together with the music. Casey wasn't sure what it was he smelled of, only that it was completely intoxicating, and she couldn't help but breathe him in. His hands were still on her behind, but now he was gently stroking her, sending sparks through her entire body. He leaned down and appeared to be smelling her hair. Just take me now. Just grab me by the hair and drag me somewhere. Let me wrap my legs around you...

"We need to go."

Casey turned around, Shepard was standing beside them. Immediately Garrus dropped his hands from Casey's body. "What's wrong?" He asked, now all business. Shepard pointed to the bar, where Grunt appeared to be having a heated argument with two other Krogan. Of course, a heated argument for Grunt involved a broken bottle and a shotgun. Shepard then pointed to the revolving stage, where Tali and the drunk Turian appeared to be engaged in some kind of erotic dance (or at least thought they were. In reality they kept stumbling over and barely touched each other). Finally Shepard pointed to the other side of the dance floor, where James and Jacob were fighting with four other human men.

"Right…" Garrus sighed. "I think our night's over."

Back on the ship, after a stern talking to by Shepard, the crew continued to drink around the large table in the mess hall. The mood was relatively light. James and Jacob (both holding ice packs to their various bruises) were arguing playfully about who'd taken the first punch, while Shepard attempted to explain the rules of some sport to Miranda. Grunt was explaining to Casey why he'd started the fight with the two Krogan (apparently "you can't handle your ryncol" was a good enough insult to warrant violence). Soon, however, Tali began to fall asleep where she sat, and so Kasumi and Casey decided to take her back to her room.

"It's a good thing I'm in this suit, otherwise I might've gotten really drunk…" Tali slurred, as Casey tucked her into bed.

"Uhuh," Casey replied, grinning at Kasumi.

"That would be embarrassing, I'm not a graceful drunk…"

"Oh I'm sure that's not true," Casey soothed.

Within seconds Tali was asleep, and Kasumi sat on the bed beside her. "Well, that was a good night…except for the fighting…and the awful dancing…and the fact that Jacob still seems to have no idea I'm alive…"

Casey smiled.

"What was going on with you and Garrus?" Kasumi asked. "You seemed very close at one point. I only noticed because I was attempting to lean back on Jacob seductively, but he'd already walked away, and yours was the last face I saw before I hit the floor and passed out for a few minutes…"

Casey felt her face burning. "Oh…we were just dancing."

"Right," said Kasumi with a wink. "Well you looked cute anyway. I'm going to bed now, I'll see you in the morning."

She and Casey left the room, and Casey headed back towards the mess. As she rounded the corner she heard her name, and stopped. She could just see the table: Garrus, James, and Grunt were the only ones left, and Grunt looked like he might be asleep. She thought it was James who had said her name, and stayed where she was, feeling a bit bad for listening, but ultimately curious.

"What do you mean?" Garrus asked.

"Well, I just noticed the two of you dancing together, you know, before that guy socked me right in the face. I was just wondering whether there's something going on there?" James' voice was slightly muffled by his new fat lip, but it was clear enough.

"Me and Casey? Nah." Garrus replied. Casey felt her stomach drop.

"You sure? You were pretty close."

"There's nothing going on. She's a human."

Casey stared at the floor. Of course he wouldn't be interested in her. They were different species for goodness sakes!

"You've got a thing for the Quarian, right?" James asked.

"Tali?"

"Yeah, I mean, Turian's and Quarian's always get together, and you guys are close right?"

"Yeah, Tali's special..." Garrus began.

"Well I say you're missing out buddy." James finished, reaching for his drink. "If a fine girl like Casey was dancing like that with me, no way she'd be sleeping alone tonight."

"Really?" Garrus asked, with a strange laugh.

"Sure. She's hot, funny, sweeter than anything. Any guy would be lucky to have her."

Casey wanted nothing more than to go back to her room, but she needed to get her bag from the table: her door code had been changed, and the new one was on a scrap of paper at the bottom of her bag. She took a breath and headed over. Garrus had a strange look on his face: perhaps he realised she'd heard everything he said? Good, Casey thought. At least I know where I stand.

"I'm going to bed," she said, as evenly as she could manage.

"Me too," James yawned.

"Good night," Garrus said, but Casey only nodded.

She and James walked in relative silence. When they reached the door to her room she punched in the code angrily. "Night Case," James said, giving her a friendly smile.

She didn't know what came over her: a mixture of realising she'd never be with Garrus, hearing James say those nice things about her, and the alcohol. Whatever it was, her lips were on James', and her arms were around his neck. He didn't seem to know what was happening either, but within seconds was kissing her back passionately, pulling her into her room. She ripped his shirt off, and let him pick her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He tasted like alcohol, and his kisses were hard and passionate.

Then they were on the bed, and he was tearing her dress off. She lay in her lace panties and bra, and watched as James surveyed her body with a smile on his face. He unclasped her bra, releasing her breasts. Her nipples hardened before he'd even locked his mouth over them, and she gasped as he ran his agile tongue across them.

She undid his belt, and soon he was only wearing his boxers. They strained against his growing member, and Casey ran her fingers along, stroking the material. James let out a little moan.

She pushed him onto his back, straddled him, and allowed his hands to roam over her breasts.

There's nothing going on. She's human.

Tali's special.

She's human.

"Case, you ok?" Casey didn't realise there was a tear sliding down her cheek until James wiped it away. "We don't have to do this, I don't wanna take advantage."

Garrus would never want her. She and James would never be an item, but at least he was attracted to her. At least he was a good guy who liked her. At least he didn't laugh at the idea of them being together.

"I want this. I want one night." She said.

James grinned, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I think I can manage that."

He flipped her onto her back, and eased her out of her panties, kissing every inch of skin he uncovered. "You're beautiful," he breathed.

She reached out and released him from his underwear. She stroked the smooth shaft of his penis gently. James moaned again. He pushed her onto her back and she let out a giggle. He positioned himself between her legs, teasing her slightly by easing himself in, inch by inch. Her fingernails dug into his strong shoulders as she felt herself being filled up by him. When he was fully inside he drew himself out again slowly, then began a steady rhythm that became faster and harder. Casey couldn't believe how good it felt, and found herself lost in a moment of pure ecstasy. She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the feeling of him inside her, but the world around her was beginning to blur, and she loved it.

He stopped, easing out of her. "Hey!" She protested, and he grinned wickedly.

"Turn around."

She sat up, but before doing what he asked, leaned forward and took him in her mouth. He gasped, grasping onto her shoulder for support. She tasted herself on him, and gently ran her tongue along his length. When she was done she turned over. "You're a bad girl," James breathed, moving inside her again.

When they had finally finished, James lay beside her, looking into her eyes. "That was amazing," he said.

She smiled, but didn't say anything. It had been amazing. She'd loved every minute of it, but now that it was over, she felt exactly like she did before. No. Worse. Because even though she knew Garrus wasn't interested, and would never be interested, she felt like she'd somehow ruined her chances.

"You ok?" James asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

James smiled, leaning forwards to give her a peck on the lips. "Anyone ever tell you you're a terrible liar?"

Casey smiled too, "Once."

"You're a great girl Case, and whoever you're thinking of right now, would be lucky to have you."

Casey stuttered, "What? I'm not thinking of-"

"Don't get me wrong, the sex was great. But I've been with enough women to know when they're thinking about me, and when they're not."

Casey didn't know what to say, but luckily James was still smiling.

"Hey, don't feel bad. I got to have sex with you, I'm pretty pleased with myself."

She gave him a gentle shove.

"But seriously Case, whoever this guy is, you should tell him how you feel."

"He's not interested."

"Then he's a fool. And probably a liar." James hopped out of bed, "I should probably go."

"Will you stay?" Casey heard herself saying. She didn't want to be alone with her thoughts right now.

"I don't usually cuddle," James began. "But for you…"

When Casey woke up, James was still asleep. She needed coffee. Coffee would make things clearer. She shoved on some clothes and headed out. As she opened her door she practically bumped into Garrus, who was poised to knock on it.

"Oh, sorry!" She stuttered, worried about how much of a mess she probably looked, before realising it didn't matter anyway.

"Hey, rough night?" Garrus asked.

Another way of saying "good morning, you look like shit." Casey thought.

"You could say that," she replied.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Garrus began, but then he stopped. For a moment he said nothing, and Casey could've sworn he was smelling the air. Then his eyes flickered to the space behind her, and she turned to see what he was looking at. James. She forgot James was in her bed, and now Garrus had realised he was there. At that moment the blanket slid off his body to reveal, in case Garrus had been in any doubt, that he was in fact, completely naked.

Casey's face felt like it was about to melt. Garrus' mandibles twitched, and he stuttered slightly as he said "Oh, this is a bad time."

"No! No it's fine!" Yeah great Casey, why don't you just invite him in to join the party?

"We can talk later," Garrus said, already making a quick getaway.

Casey closed the door, all thoughts of coffee forgotten. She dropped onto the bed. Ok, so not only had she slept with a crew member, big mistake, but she'd also been found out by the one person she never wanted to know about this. Great.

Oh, and also, she thought she was probably in love with him. Fantastic.