Once again, thank you all so much for the reviews and messages: it really makes my day when I find out someone's enjoying the story. You're all amazing, hope you enjoy the next chapter :)
When Casey woke up, she was alone in her room. It took her a moment to remember how she got there, what had happened on the last mission. Lucky for her, her aching body reminded her pretty quickly. Slowly and carefully she got to her feet, and made the way across the room to her mirror. It wasn't too bad, but she wouldn't be winning any beauty pageants any time soon. She had a split lip, and a large bruise under her eye. Three long red scratches ran down her cheek. She shuddered as she remembered Morinth's nails scraping into her skin.
"What are you doing out of bed?"
Casey turned around, Kasumi was standing in the doorway holding a glass of water.
"How long was I asleep?"
"A couple of hours, not long enough." Kasumi put the water down and ushered her back into bed. "I had to fight Doctor Chakwas to let me bring you back to your room. She wanted to keep you in the med bay. Don't make me drag you back there!"
Casey let Kasumi tuck her in. "I'm proud of you, you know?" Kasumi muttered.
"Why?" Casey yawned.
"For kicking Morinth's ass!"
Casey shook her head. "I didn't do anything, it was Garrus who shot her."
"Eventually, but you were holding your own until then. And you beat her pheromones! Doc was really surprised at that." Kasumi grinned. "But let's go back to the Garrus thing…you guys seemed pretty close in the club."
Casey smiled, but then sighed. "That was just our cover."
Kasumi groaned, "Casey, when are you going to get it through your thick skull that he might actually be into you?"
"I don't want to get my hopes up, not again."
Kasumi nodded, "I understand. But if you don't make a move soon, you might lose your shot."
Casey sunk under the covers stubbornly, and Kasumi laughed. "He didn't leave your side when we bought you in. Chakwas virtually threw him out because you needed rest."
Casey felt a smile play on her lips. At that moment the door to her room opened, and she couldn't help but sit up expectantly. It wasn't Garrus though, it was Grunt. She didn't really mind, she was happy to see any of her friends. Grunt was carrying a box, which he set down on the table. He then looked expectantly at Kasumi, who eventually got the hint. "I'll talk to you later Case, call me if you need me." She made for the door, pulling a face behind Grunt's back.
Grunt sat on the end of Casey's bed, which pretty much took up all of the space for her feet. She tucked them up quickly. He didn't say anything for a moment. "Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine. How are you?"
"Nothing permanent," Casey smiled, though it hurt a little to do so. Grunt saw her wince, and he balled his fists. "I wish I'd have been there, I would've killed that Asari for hurting you, and I wouldn't have made it quick."
Casey had seen Grunt angry before: hell that was how he was most of the time. But now, clearly trying to control the rage that was boiling below the surface, she'd never seen this. She reached out, put a hand on his. "I'm fine, Grunt."
"I saw you when Garrus left, I should've come over, I just didn't want to break cover."
"I know," Casey replied sincerely. "Honestly, she barely touched me."
Grunt seemed to be thinking for a moment, then he took a deep breath. "I don't know what I would've done if she'd hurt you. You're one of the few people here who treats me like I'm more than just a killing machine."
Casey didn't know what to say, but then she did. "We're friends."
Grunt looked up and smiled. "We're more than friends. You're in my clan. I'll protect you like you were my own blood."
Krogan didn't really hug, so he gave her one of his traditional 'gentle' pats on the shoulder. He got up to leave, but then seemed to remember something. "Oh yeah, I brought you a gift."
Casey eyed the box nervously, thinking back to Shepard's plant, and the way it'd torn through the Normandy. "Oh….you shouldn't have…"
"I hear humans like these things. I don't really get it, it's not big enough to eat, so what's the point?…" Grunt opened the box and lifted out a small bowl, containing a single goldfish. Casey let out a silent sigh of relief, then smiled broadly. "That's so sweet! Thank you Grunt." Then she had an idea. "Why don't you name him for me?"
Grunt looked at the fish, "I don't know many names…"
"Have you ever had a pet?"
Grunt grinned, "I don't think he'd call himself a pet, but I kind of did, once."
"What was his name?"
"Okeer."
Casey was sure she'd heard that name before, but couldn't think where. "Ok then, Okeer the Goldfish." Grunt gave a little laugh, and stomped out of the room. Casey smiled as the fish circled the bowl, well that was something she hadn't expected.
"What are you doing up?"
Busted.
Casey turned around, and found Kasumi standing behind her. She'd been going mad trapped in her room when there were so many sounds outside, so she'd just slipped out for a moment. She hadn't realised Sergeant Goto took her new security job so seriously. "I'm going crazy in there!" Casey protested. "And I keep hearing people banging about, what's going on out here?"
Kasumi smiled, "The noise is thanks to Grunt. Ok, I was going to wake you in an hour or two anyway." She led her towards the mess hall. "I happened to find out from Miss Perfect", Casey knew she meant Miranda, "that it's Shep's birthday today. So we've decided to throw him a little surprise party. Miranda's keeping him busy on Omega for a few hours, something about Vorcha in the sewers, surprised he agreed to it really, and we're getting the ship ready." They were in the mess now, and Casey could see the frenzied action of those trying to decorate a room in preparation for a big party.
James was in the kitchen, apparently baking a cake, though Mordin was making it difficult. He seemed to be attempting to add extra ingredients while James wasn't looking, which was making James grow more and more agitated. Tali was laying out snacks and drinks. Other crew members ran back and forth with boxes and balloons. Casey watched as Grunt hung a line of bunting across the ceiling. "Wow, that's cool," she said, and Grunt smiled. As she took a closer look, however, Casey realised there were lots pictures on the little flags. Each one seemed to represent a Krogan standing on the dead body of an alien. "Oh…those are….detailed…" She added.
Grunt pointed. "I blacked out the dead human ones, you know, out of respect."
"That's nice." Casey tried not to laugh, and turned her attention to something else, noticing for the first time a number of little disks laid out on the floor, scattered around randomly. "What are those?" She asked Kasumi.
Kasumi grinned, "An amazing little programme I just happened to come across."
"By 'come across', do you mean steal?"
"Don't pick apart every little word," Kasumi laughed, before pressing a button on her Omni-tool. Casey gasped: out of every pad, a holographic plant suddenly sprung up. It immediately looked as though they were standing in a greenhouse: although the plants looked anything but normal: all bright neon colours. "Wow," Casey breathed.
"Beautiful, huh?"
Casey nodded.
"What are you doing out of bed?"
Casey rolled her eyes, she was sick of people asking, but then she realised who the voice belonged to. Kasumi slipped away, leaving Casey facing Garrus.
"I needed to get out of my room," Casey finally replied.
Garrus looked suspicious, "Are you sure you're well enough to be walking around? Maybe Doctor Chakwas should take another look at you, just to be sure-"
"Garrus I'm fine! Morinth was kind enough to reserve most of the damage for my facial area. I may not look pretty, but I'm not going to drop down dead."
Garrus smiled, "I think you look-"
"He's here!" Grunt bellowed. "Everyone shut up and get down!"
The party had been in full swing for several hours. Casey had slipped away and got changed into something a little bit fancier, a light white dress. It was nowhere near as formal as the black one she'd borrowed, but it meant she could feel dressed up, without struggling to breathe. She moved around the party, never really staying anywhere for too long.
She noticed Shepard, Garrus, Ken, James, Jacob, and Miranda all sat around a table. She took the last seat, between Garrus and Jacob. "What's going on?" She asked.
"We're about to play Skyllian five," Jacob replied, nodding to Ken who was dealing. "You want in?"
Casey shook her head, "I'm dreadful at that game. I always lose, but I'll watch?"
"I'll play." Casey turned, Grunt was standing behind her. He seemed to be surveying the table, noticing that there were no seats left. "You can have mine-" Casey began, standing up.
Grunt grabbed her by the waist, and lifted her out of his way and straight on to Garrus' lap. "Thanks Case," he replied.
"Good idea," Kasumi added, now joining them, and sitting on Jacob's lap. Gabby, who'd been standing behind Ken, did the same. "But keep your hands where I can see them," Gabby hissed, grabbing the cards.
Casey looked at Garrus, "sorry," she muttered.
"It's ok," Garrus replied, "you can help me." He gestured to the cards he was holding.
"You want me to help? I'm not good…"
"Oh that's fine, I'll just do the opposite of everything you suggest," Garrus winked.
He was sitting rather stiffly, and Casey felt embarrassed. She doubted this was the kind of thing that went on at Turian parties. But everyone was having a good time, and with Gabby and Kasumi doing the same thing, it looked innocent enough. She had another drink, feeling a little more relaxed. Garrus began to talk to her about the game, but she wasn't completely paying attention. Being this close to him, it was like being under a spell. Not like with Morinth: next to Morinth she'd felt sleepy, vacant, empty. Next to Garrus, she felt more alive than ever, and her heart was racing. Empty? Yeah she felt empty, but only because she so desperately wanted him to fill her up. To take her, bend her over the table and do every disgustingly kinky thing he could dream of.
What was she thinking? She had another drink, hoping it would slow her thoughts a little.
"We're out of booze!"
James had left the table to get another bottle from the kitchen. When he made his startling discovery, it was as though the crew had been told there was a Collector ship firing on them. People jumped up, crying out in frustration and anger. Casey looked at Garrus, who just laughed.
"Don't panic!" Shepard slurred. "I'm trained for this!"
"What should we do?" Miranda giggled.
"We shall proc….procur…pro….let's go get some more!" Shepard yelled, and the others cheered. "Vega, Grunt, you've got big arms, you come with me to Afterlife to get some more booze."
"Commander, what shall we do?" Miranda asked, attempting to salute, but failing and giggling again. Casey had never seen her this drunk, but she kind of liked it.
"More food!" Jacob cried before Shepard could reply. "And more booze!"
"Yes!" Shepard called, pointing at Jacob. "What that good man said! We meet back here at 23 hundred hours! Go!"
The crew started to leave, and Casey looked back at Garrus, "It's not even eleven o'clock, and everyone's so drunk!"
"Aren't you?" Garrus asked.
Casey got to her feet, "Not really." She stumbled slightly, "Ok…just a little."
Garrus laughed, stumbling slightly himself. "Come on." He took her by the hand and led her towards the elevator. They rode it to the Command Deck, trying not to laugh at Ken Donnelly, who had passed out in the corner, and had apparently been riding the elevator for the last few hours.
The rest of the crew who were heading out had already disappeared by the time Garrus and Casey stepped out of the Normandy. "Where to?" Garrus asked.
"Why are you asking me?"
"You used to live here."
"And I left," Casey smiled, "As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing much here."
"Ok then, follow me," Garrus replied, taking her hand again and leading her off.
Casey had never felt safer walking the streets of Omega than she did at that moment. No one bumped into her, no one tried to sell her anything (or rob her, as was often the alternative). Everyone kept their distance from the human who was holding hands with the strong Turian.
"Where are we going?" Casey asked.
"You'll see," Garrus replied, with a mysterious wink.
"You know Omega?"
"A little, it's not far, come on." They quickened their pace, and arrived at a large bridge in the worst end of town. They crossed it in amicable silence, and were soon standing in front of small building.
"What's this?" Casey asked.
"Archangel's base." Garrus replied.
"Who's Archangel?"
Garrus feigned shock. "You don't know who Archangel is?"
Casey shook her head. Garrus paused, "Well I guess unless you dealt with the gangs you wouldn't know. Archangel was a vigilante. He had a crew of loyal friends, and together they tried to clean up the scum in Omega."
"They didn't do a very good job," Casey replied.
Garrus smiled, "Well, he died."
"Oh," Casey immediately felt like an idiot. "I'm sorry Garrus, he was your friend?"
"Sort of," Garrus replied, taking a key out of his pocket and unlocking the door. "He was me."
Garrus gave her a tour of the base, explaining how he'd tried to make Omega a better place, after Shepard had died. But Omega doesn't like change, and ultimately, he'd failed. His team were killed, and it looked like he was going to be next when Shepard found him again.
"I still can't get over that…Shepard coming back to life?" Casey said.
"Yeah, Shepard's stubborn like that. Being dead only pissed him off."
Casey laughed, as Garrus led her to the last room. It looked like a bedroom, but Casey could only just make out a bed in the corner, under piles and piles of paperwork. She went over and looked: maps, pictures of gang leaders, and what looked like surveillance info. The walls were plastered with all these things too. "My room," Garrus said.
"Bet you saw a lot of action in here," Casey laughed, gesturing to the almost inaccessible bed. Garrus misunderstood, "Oh yeah, this is where I made my last stand. Me, against a battalion of angry gang leaders."
"That's not what I meant," Casey said with a smile.
Garrus looked confused, then his mandibles twitched, "Oh, you mean women?"
Casey nodded, laughing.
"No, none of that in here. Not yet anyway." He stared into Casey's eyes for a moment, then broke her gaze, looking out of the window. Casey's heart hammered, and she joined him.
"Great view," she commented.
"Yeah, it's perfect for taking out mercs: see how the bridge all funnels them into scope?"
Casey nodded, internally yelling at Garrus to stop talking about tactics. I've got to go for it, otherwise I'll never know. She took a breath, and turned with her back to the view. "It's kind of romantic, it's a shame you never brought anyone up here."
Garrus was silent, his eyes focused on hers. They stayed like that for a few moments. Then…nothing. He made no attempt to kiss her, to touch her, anything. Casey felt angry. She'd had too much to drink, and she was at risk of saying all the things that were building inside her.
Keep cool….
"Well, maybe if I find a woman who likes guys with scars, I'll bring her up here."
Cool, Casey, relax.
"You don't happen to know anyone do you?"
"Would you please stop playing with me Garrus?!" Casey hadn't meant to say that. She certainly hadn't meant to yell it, but it was out there now, and she felt a flood of words following it out. "Stop giving me mixed messages! I mean, one minute you're all over me, the next you're asking me to set you up?! I mean, I know you're not attracted to humans, the idea is laughable to you, but stop acting like you like me when you don't because it's really starting to drive me mad!"
She was breathing heavily. What had she just said? Did it even make sense? Either way she'd ruined everything. She could never go back to the Normandy now.
Garrus was silent, his mandibles twitched. "Why do you think I'm not attracted to humans?"
"I heard you talking to James. You said you didn't like Humans and then you laughed." Casey was surprised at how angry she sounded.
Garrus paused for a moment, clearly trying to remember. "Wait, that was the night you slept with James wasn't it?"
Casey went red, "Yes, yes fine, I do stupid things when drunk. Clearly."
"Did you sleep with him because of what I said?"
"No!" Even Casey knew that didn't sound believable.
Garrus' voice was soft, like he was talking to a child. "Casey, I said we could never be together because you were human…I meant that you would surely never be interested in a Turian. And I laughed because James said he wouldn't turn you down, and I was trying to hide the fact that I was so damn jealous that you were both the same species, I wanted to smash him into the table."
"Oh…" Casey didn't know what to say. "So…you like me?"
"Well I don't know, now you're all angry and crazy…"
She couldn't tell if he was joking, but her face was burning and she couldn't take any more embarrassment. "I should go," she muttered, moving towards the door.
He grabbed her arm, pulled her closer to him. "No," he growled, and his mouth was on hers.