The music was pounding, and Casey scanned the room while she waited for Garrus to bring over their drinks. She was sitting in a little booth in the shadows, where she could see the whole club perfectly. The queue at the bar was long, and it gave her ample time to survey the club.

She'd never been here before, even when she worked at Afterlife. She'd always been in the main club, and truth be told, she knew very little about the VIP section. Now she was here, she could see it was just as big as Afterlife itself, and certainly seemed to have more going on. There was a large dance floor, where she could see Ken and Gabby dancing together. She smiled as Ken's hands wandered to Gabby's behind, and before being slapped away. There were several stages, where various women danced high above the customers. They were mostly Asari, those were the ones everyone wanted, though there were a few human women here and there.

There was a casino area near the back of the club, and Casey was sure that was Grunt's head she could see above the slot machines. She'd also caught sight of Miranda every now and again. However, it was packed in here, and Casey couldn't help but feel that no matter how many of the Normandy Crew was there, it would be pretty easy to miss Morinth.

"See anything?" Garrus asked, putting the drinks down and sliding into the seat beside her. Not too close though.

"Nothing yet, it's busy," Casey replied.

"Well not to worry. We're only here for back up, and to keep an eye open. It's Shepard and Samara who are looking for her."

Casey nodded, then eyed her drink suspiciously. "Is there alcohol in this?" She asked, holding up the glass of bright pink liquid.

"Only a little," Garrus replied.

"I'm off alcohol," Casey said, putting the glass down.

"Why?" Casey was sure she heard a note of laughter in his voice. She rolled her eyes.

"Because alcohol makes me act stupid, and do stupid things."

"I like drunk Casey," Garrus smirked. "She's a good dancer."

"Yeah, well it wasn't you who I practically assaulted and dragged into my room," Casey muttered, before realising the inappropriateness of what she'd said.

"Unlucky for me," Garrus replied, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Enough's enough, Kenneth!" Casey looked up, Gabby slid into the booth beside her, arms crossed across her chest.

"Just trying to make it look realistic," Kenneth replied, sitting on the other side of Garrus.

"You were all over me!"

"We're meant to look like a couple!"

"I never agreed to that cover story!"

"Well excuse me for trying to bring a sense of realism to the act!"

Garrus met Casey's gaze and grinned, clearly trying not to laugh. Casey giggled, but tried to hide it by coughing. As Gabby and Ken continued to argue, she took a sip of her drink. It was delicious, she felt her whole body relax.

"What do you think, Garrus? I'm right, aren't I?" Ken asked exasperatedly. Gabby's fierce gaze fell on Garrus, and he seemed to squirm in his seat.

"Uh…I….you know what, Shepard just messaged, said he needs me. I'll be right back."

Casey's eyes widened, don't you leave me with these two! She thought desperately.

Ken stood up so that Garrus could get past, but before he made his getaway, he held out his hand to Casey. "I'll need your help on this, Case."

Casey grabbed his hand gratefully, and let him pull her away.

"Wow, didn't think I'd get out of that one so easily," Garrus whispered before they were completely out of ear shot. His breath tickled against her ear.

"I'm guessing there was no message from Shepard, and you don't need my help?"

"Well, yes, and no."

Casey looked at him questioningly. He continued, "Yes, there was no message from Shepard, and no, I do need your help."

"….Ok, you've lost me."

Garrus grinned. "I do need your help, I can't dance alone." Casey turned around, realising he'd led her to the dance floor.

"I thought you didn't dance? Not unless you were drunk?"

"Well, I only know one step, but I thought we could give it another try." Without another word he pulled Casey into him, their bodies closer than they'd been the first time they'd danced like this. Casey placed her head against his chest, his heart was pounding. Damn, I wish I knew how fast Turian hearts usually beat! Was he nervous? Or was this normal?

Casey felt Garrus' head rest slightly on top of hers. Was he smelling her hair? Was that a sign of something? Maybe she was clutching at straws, she'd heard him say he wasn't interested in humans….and yet, something was going on. She knew for a fact Turians weren't usually this gentle, this…sweet…and the way his fingers gently stroked the back of her dress suggested something much more than a dance between squad mates. But was he just a good actor? Was he just perfecting this undercover rouse? Oh how she wished her inner monologue would just shut up so she could enjoy the dance.

Casey allowed herself to glance at the other dancers. There were a few familiar faces now. Gabby and Ken had returned, and seemed to have settled on a compromise: Ken kept his hands off Gabby's behind, and she didn't punch him in the face. They actually seemed to be laughing together. Casey could see Tali and James, who also seemed to be giggling about something. Casey hoped they weren't talking about her and Garrus, she already felt a million eyes on her already, though she knew that was just in her head.

"Do you think she buys it?" Garrus asked.

"Who? Buy what?"

"Morinth. If she was watching this club right now, do you think she'd know we were all armed and looking to kill her?"

Casey looked over at Gabby and Ken. "She'd definitely think they were no threat."

Garrus laughed as Ken slid his hands down again, and was met by an angry shove by Gabby. "Well, only to each other. What about them?" Garrus asked, pointing to James and Tali. "Who would she think they were?"

Casey thought for a moment, "Work colleagues. Out for a friendly drink."

"Where do they work?"

"Some kind of office job."

Garrus grinned, "Vega, behind a desk? I don't see it?"

"He's the janitor," Casey replied wickedly. Garrus laughed again.

"What about them?" Casey asked, nodding towards Mordin and Miranda, who stood next to each other at the bar.

"Blind date," Garrus replied without so much as a moment's pause.

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. He's not so sure, but she's into it."

"Oh really?"

"Oh yeah. Look at the way she's looking at him. Literally undressing him with her eyes."

At that point Miranda happened to nod, and Casey had to bury her head in Garrus' chest to avoid collapsing with the giggles.

"Your turn," Garrus said. "Those two." He pointed at Grunt and Kasumi.

"Married," Casey replied.

"How long?"

"Five years."

"Oh that's nice, it's hard for working Krogan to find love."

"Mmm," Casey nodded. "Though honestly, I don't think it's going to last."

"Why not?"

"Sometimes it's just not meant to be."

"Krogan itch?" Garrus suggested with a wicked smile.

"You know about that? I only heard about it for the first time the other day!"

"Mordin told me, seems to think someone on the ship has it."

Casey made a mental note to remind Mordin that she did not, in fact, have Krogan itch.

"My turn," Garrus said.

Casey looked around, for the moment she couldn't see anyone else. "Uhh…..us?" She asked.

Garrus smiled, "Oh definitely on some kind of date."

Casey's heart pounded, but she tried to sound casual. "Really? Have we gone to dinner first?"

"Is that what humans do on dates?"

"Sure, dinner and dancing. Why? What do Turians do?"

"Usually you grab a woman by the waist and drag her back to your cave."

Casey must have looked shocked, because Garrus laughed. "I'm kidding, of course we go to dinner."

"I knew you were joking!" Casey insisted, though she couldn't help but feel a bit relieved.

Garrus smiled, "So yes, I would have taken you to dinner. Somewhere fancy, though not too fancy, wouldn't want to get your expectations too high."

"A girl should have low expectations on a date with you?"

"Oh yeah, real low. At least until she sees my dancing."

"Is this our first date?"

"I'd say third or fourth."

"Then you're playing it pretty safe," Casey replied.

"How so?" Garrus asked.

Casey, surprised at her own daring, shifted Garrus' hands, which were on her back, lower down. She waited, if he pulled them away then she'd know she'd read it completely wrong. But he didn't, he just smiled. "This is more believable?" He asked.

"Definitely," Casey replied, her heart hammering in her chest.

Garrus stroked the material of her dress softly.

At that moment his Omni-tool lit up. He glanced at it, before stepping away. "I'm sorry, that really was a message from Shepard. Samara thinks she's seen Morinth, he wants back up."

"I'll come too."

"No. Stay here, we're not certain it's her."

Casey raised an eyebrow. "You're worried about me accidentally shooting you aren't you?"

Garrus gave her a wicked smile, "If you mangle my face much more than it already is, you might not want to come back to my cave." Then he left, once again, before she could fully process what he'd just said.

Casey made her way to the bar. She watched as Grunt took two bottles of ryncol from the server. He nodded at her, but didn't approach. Casey turned around, thinking about heading back to the booth when she collided with an Asari waitress. A tray full of drinks spilled over Casey's borrowed dress.

"Ohmygosh! I'm so sorry!" The Asari cried, dabbing at Casey's dress with a rag from behind the bar.

"It's fine," Casey reassured her, though already panicking about what she's say to Samantha.

"Here, come with me," the Asari replied. "If we get some water on it, it might not stain so bad." She took Casey by the arm and pulled her towards the bathrooms.

The bathroom was empty, and the Asari ran the cloth under the water, before dabbing at Casey's dress.

"Some of it's coming off," she mumbled.

"Don't worry," Casey replied. "It's my friend's dress, I'll just have to buy her a new one."

The Asari's eyes widened. "It's borrowed?! Oh no!"

She continued to dab at the material, and it was only then that Casey started to feel slightly dizzy. She wondered if it was the Asari's perfume, which was really strong. Almost intoxicating. Casey felt a little drunk, though she hadn't had any alcohol since they were at the booth.

The Asari's dabbing had slowed down a lot. And Casey was vaguely aware that she had moved away from the dress and onto Casey's skin. "It's here too," she muttered, stroking Casey's skin sensually.

Casey wobbled slightly. Something was wrong, she felt incredibly drunk. When was the last time she'd had alcohol? The booth? When she was with….someone. Who had she come here with?

Now the Asari's fingers were on her skin, gently caressing her stomach, her neck, the sides of her breasts that showed through the slit in the material of her dress. "What's your name?" The Asari breathed. Her voice was different now.

"Casey," Casey replied dreamily.

"Hello Casey, I'm Morinth."

"Morinth?" Why was that name familiar? Did she know her? Was she here to meet her? The smell of the perfume seemed to get even more intense. "That's a pretty name," Casey slurred.

"Would you like to come back to my apartment with me, Casey?" Morinth asked.

Casey nodded. She wanted to go. She wanted to stay with Morinth. She wanted to stay feeling this good.

Casey wasn't sure how she got to the apartment, but she found herself sitting on a couch alone. The drunken feeling was beginning to wear off. She stumbled to her feet. "Morinth?" She called. Morinth? Morinth! That was who they'd come to find!

A door to her left opened, and Morinth came in. All of a sudden, the air became heavy again, thick with the sickly sweet smell of Morinth's perfume. "You're a strong one," she muttered, pushing Casey back onto the couch. "I was only out for a second."

Casey's head began to droop, and she was vaguely aware of Morinth climbing on top of her. She ran her hand down the exposed skin of Casey's stomach.

Why am I here?

"I'm going to do things to you Casey."

Who's Casey?

Some of them you'll like." She slipped her hand inside Casey's dress, resting it on her breast.

I'm Casey.

"Some of them you won't like."

Why am I here?

She ran her fingers across Casey's nipple, squeezing it gently, then firmly. She leaned in closer, and Casey felt something hard pressing against her leg.

I came with people. We were looking for Morinth. Why? Who did I come with?

"But I promise: before you die, you'll feel pleasure you've never even dreamed of."

Morinth is a killer. We came to find her.

Morinth reached down and began to slide Casey's dress up. Her eyes never left Casey's. They were hot, burning.

Shepard, I came with Shepard! And Mordin, and Kasumi!

She felt the hardness between Morinth's legs pressing against her. It throbbed impatiently.

Garrus. I was here with Garrus! We came to kill Morinth.

With all the strength she had, Casey kicked out against Morinth and threw her off her body.

"You bitch!" Morinth hissed, lunging at her again. She pinned Casey against the wall, and the intoxicating smell filled Casey's lungs. But she wouldn't let it take her again. She kneed Morinth in the stomach, and quickly reached for the gun strapped to her own leg. She held it up. "Freeze!" She cried, but Morinth laughed.

"Oh please. Do you really think you'll do any damage with that? I know who you are, who you're with. I've been watching Shepard since you docked, and I saw your piss poor attempts at shooting yesterday. That's why I picked you, Casey! It'll be such a shame when Shepard finds your drained little corpse, and he'll know that I'm not one to be fucked with. Now put down the gun." She moved towards Casey.

"Don't move!" Casey stuttered.

"And your Turian boyfriend, I'm sure he'll be really upset. Though, do you really even see that going anywhere?" She gave a little laugh.

"Fuck you!"

Morinth stopped. "Oh, hit a nerve did I? I was only being half serious, there's no way a Turian would ever be interested in a human like you. They like strong women, Casey. Not weak little nobodies who can't even tell if a gun has the safety off."

Casey glanced at the gun, and Morinth took the chance to lunge at her. They wrestled on the floor, and the gun slid across the room. Casey punched Morinth in the jaw, Morinth scratched her in the face. Morinth was on top of her. Her mouth was bloody, but she grinned. "Don't worry, after I kill you, I'll kill your little boyfriend too." She leaned in closer, and Casey could smell the blood on her breath. "But I'll fuck him first." Casey felt the hate boil up inside her, and grabbed Morinth by the back of the head, and smacked her into the wall. While Morinth tried to get up, Casey crawled to the gun.

Just as she grabbed it, she felt a weight on top of her. Morith turned her around, still straddling her waist. "You put up a good fight," she panted. "But now it's over." Her eyes went black.

Casey couldn't move. She couldn't reach the gun. This is it. She closed her eyes.

But nothing happened. Morinth appeared frozen. Then, Casey felt her fall backwards off her body. Casey opened her eyes and scrambled free. Morinth had a bullet hole in her head. Casey looked at the door. Garrus put down his sniper rifle and ran over.

"Casey, are you alright?"

She nodded, unable to take her eyes off Morinth. She heard Shepard enter, and many more footsteps afterwards. "Phew, what is that smell?" Grunt asked.

"Pheromones." Casey looked over, Samara was approaching. "Morinth used them to keep her prey under control. They're quite harmless now she's dead."

Mordin was at Casey's side now, scanning her with his Omni-tool. "Put up a fight did you? Managed to resist? Very rare."

"You must be very strong minded," Samara added.

Casey didn't feel strong, she felt woozy. She noticed Garrus leaning in, and then she was up high. He'd lifted her into his arms. "I'll take her back to the ship," he said to Shepard. "Doctor Chakwas should take a look at her."

Shepard nodded, but took Casey's hand for a moment. "Good job."

Casey wasn't exactly sure what she'd done, other than almost get herself killed, but she nodded anyway.

She let Garrus carry her out of the room. She could feel his heart racing. She wished she knew if that meant something.