Once again I'm so sorry for the delay guys! I've been really busy at work, and am in the process of applying for new jobs (interview on tuesday, eek!). I'm trying my best, but stick with me, and I'll try to make it worth it! Hope you like the new chapter, thanks for all the great feedback so far :)

"How does that feel?"

"Good." Casey moved her foot up and down gently. There was no more pain.

Doctor Chakwas smiled, putting the lid back on the pot of medi-gel. "It was only a sprain, you're lucky it wasn't broken. Just try not to jump out of any more windows."

Casey smiled, and watched as Chakwas headed over to Mordin, who appeared to be attempting to leave the med bay. "Hold up there Mordin, you need to rest," she sighed, as she led him back to bed for the third time.

Casey looked at Garrus, standing beside her. "What?" She asked, in response to his concerned expression.

"I'm still mad at you, for making me so worried." He didn't look mad, not really.

"You act like I'm completely useless. I took out two Collectors on my own, and saved Shepard from that Husk, and got Mordin out from under those crates when no one else realised he'd gone!"

"I don't think you're useless," Garrus muttered. "The opposite actually."

"Good," Casey began. She took a deep breath, knowing he wasn't going to like what she said next. "Because I was thinking...maybe I could come along on some of the missions? Nothing too dangerous, I'm not trained and I don't want to slow you down, but I can help with some of the other stuff?"

Garrus appeared to be thinking for a moment, "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why not?" Casey asked defensively.

"Well for one thing, it's not up to me. Shepard decides the squad, and he's only looking for those who've gone though intensive training. You're good Casey, but he wouldn't want to risk bringing anyone who isn't fully prepared."

"Ah Casey!" The two of them turned around to watch Shepard enter the med bay. He nodded to Doctor Chakwas, who appeared to be strapping Mordin down with some large restraints, and continued towards Casey and Garrus. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

"I'm fine," Casey replied, before Garrus had time to say anything to the contrary.

"Good. That was great work down there, if you're up for it, I'd love to bring you along on the next mission. I think we could use your skills, and you're clearly committed."

"Thanks Commander, I'd like that," Casey replied, trying to avoid Garrus' gaze.

"Excellent," Shepard grinned. He nodded at Garrus, before heading out of the lab as quickly as he'd arrived. Casey tried not to smile as she kept her eyes on her ankle, but she could feel Garrus staring at her. Luckily at that moment Doctor Chakwas arrived. "Ok Casey, I think you can go. But go straight to your room and lie down. In fact, Garrus, can you take her?"

"Of course," Garrus replied gruffly. Casey lowered herself off the bed and moved towards the doors. She knew Garrus wouldn't be happy, he'd obviously thought Shepard wouldn't even consider instating her more permanently into the squad. But no one ever quite knew what Shepard was planning. Casey wasn't even sure how much help she could be, but every time she'd come along for a mission, she'd enjoyed it, and she'd been useful, at least in some way. But clearly this new role came with a downside, and the last thing she wanted was to fight with Garrus. Even now as she walked back to her room, she felt his eyes boring into the back of her head. It was like he was a Lion, and she a Gazelle...she was waiting for him to pounce, and not in the way she would like.

They entered her room, and she turned to face him as soon as the doors closed. "I'm sorry," she blurted out.

"What for?" He asked. She was confused, surely he knew exactly why he was mad at her?

"For...well, for coming along, for making you worry, for wanting to be a part of the squad. I'm not trying to make things difficult." Garrus didn't say anything for a moment, but then he smiled, and sat at the chair by her desk. He took her by the hand and pulled her onto his lap. "I didn't want you to come along because I didn't want you to get hurt, and yes, I did worry. But you did a lot of good things while you were down there with us, and I can't imagine the mission would have gone as well without you. That was what was bothering me in the med bay, I knew as soon as I saw you that you'd already gotten a taste for it. You felt what we all feel, the adrenaline, the excitement, and the huge responsibility. I knew that if you felt that, you'd want to join us. As for making things difficult...well, I knew you'd never be boring." He pulled her closer, running a trail of kisses down her neck. She tried to empty her mind, but inside she was practically singing: Garrus wasn't mad at her! He still liked her, and now she was going to be more involved with the missions!

She couldn't think straight for long though, as she felt Garrus place his hand on her leg, and slowly begin to run it up towards her thigh. The mood was slightly spoiled, however, when she remembered how sweaty and gross she was from Horizon. She took his hand and pulled away from his kisses. "Before we...well, I need to take a shower."

Garrus smiled, "Don't keep me waiting long."

Casey got to her feet and practically ran to the bathroom. She struggled out of the armour, stumbling and almost falling into the toilet at one point. Finally she was completely naked, except for the bandages on her arms. She started the water running, and stepped into the steam. She watched as grime and muck washed off her face and arms and down the drain. There was a noise behind her, and she felt a cool rush of air as the shower door opened. She turned around. There was Garrus, completely naked, standing in the doorway. Once again she was struck by just how tall he was, and how small she was in comparison. He almost took up the whole space of the doorway, "I need a shower too," he said.

Casey smiled, and he joined her, closing the door behind him. For a moment he seemed to just stare at her body, his gaze resting on her breasts, and between her legs. She laughed, "If you're in here, you can help me." She tried to sound relaxed, but she was already tingling with anticipation. She handed him a sponge and some soap, which he took without argument. She turned her back on him, and felt as he began to wash her back. He was delicate and tender, beginning with her shoulders, and slowly making his way down her body. He moved closer to her, and reached round to wash her front. She felt him harden against her behind, and that sent shivers down her body. Standing behind her, he began to wash her neck, slowly moving to the point where her breasts began. Then he was rubbing the sponge against her breasts, and her nipples hardened beneath his touch. She felt his cock begin to throb against her. "Turian women don't have these," he breathed into her ear. "The biggest mistake in the whole galaxy," he paused, "Not that I'm only with you for...uh..."

"Shut up Garrus," Casey grinned, and he seemed to relax. He dropped the sponge and used his hands to spread the soap suds across her skin. His fingers circled and squeezed her nipples, but gently and sensuously. This teasing was driving Casey wild! She leaned back slightly, resting her head against him, and letting him continue his gentle kisses on her neck.

His hands were moving now, but he continued the pretence of washing her skin. He stroked the lips of her pussy gently with his thumb, locating her clitoris and slowly circling it. He began to slip one finger inside her, and Casey let out a moan. This is what she'd been waiting for. He slipped in a second finger, and began to move them in an out deliciously. Casey's breathing sped up, and she put a hand against the wall to steady herself. Then he stopped, "No!" Casey cried, before she could stop herself. Garrus began again, and just as she felt the pressure building between her legs, he stopped. It continued like this, Casey almost reaching her climax, but Garrus stopping just before she could. Finally she spun around, "Are you punishing me?" Casey asked in sudden realisation.

"Maybe," Garrus replied, smiling wickedly.

Casey reached up, stroking and then tugging gently at his fringe. "I'm sure you can think of a better way to do that," she whispered in his ear, just barely audible over the running water.

He heard it. He let out a little growl, and picked her up easily, shoving her hard against the tiled wall. He slid inside her, not gently, but fast and rough. She heard him moan as her tight, wetness, surrounded him, and watched as his pupils began to dilate. This is more like it, she thought gleefully, as he took her frantically. She felt herself building again, and without his teasing hands was able to climax again and again. The feeling of being completely filled up by him, of his hard skin rubbing against her clitoris, it was all too much.

Garrus wasn't far behind, and soon emptied himself inside her. She loved this feeling, it made her feel lightheaded: clearly something different in his DNA. Either way she clung on to him tightly, feeling like she was on some wonderful drug. Garrus turned off the water, and carried her back to the bedroom. He laid her out on the bed, before laying beside her.

They laid together silently for a few moments, Casey slowly feeling less dizzy, Garrus gently running his hand along her naked stomach as he spooned her. "When did you realise?" Casey asked suddenly, "That you liked me, I mean."

Garrus seemed to be thinking for a moment. "From the moment I met you, there was something, but I didn't know what it was. I'd never been attracted to a Human before, and at first I thought I was just curious about your species. I told myself that was why I started searching for...uh...biological vids about Humans online. Then I told myself that it was simply this curiosity that made me think about what you looked like underneath your clothes." Casey felt herself blush, then grin, and was glad Garrus couldn't see. He continued. "When you were the one to bring Goto on board, I began to get this weird feeling: I wanted to be around you all the time. I found myself looking out for you whenever I was on the ship, and trying to find reasons to talk to you. Not just that, I wanted to protect you. I tried to stop you taking part in the more dangerous missions...but somehow it kept happening anyway!"

Casey turned around, facing Garrus now. "I'd do anything to keep you safe," he said, his voice low.

"I know," she replied, putting her hand against his scarred face. He closed his eyes.

When Casey woke up, Garrus was standing beside the bed, fully dressed. "You're very quiet," she yawned.

"It comes with the territory," he smiled. "Hungry?"

She grinned wickedly, "For what?"

It seemed to take Garrus a moment to register what she meant, and during those few seconds Casey felt more than a little awkward. Finally a smile spread across his face, and he climbed into the bed beside her, kissing her softly. "Well, how about food now? And something else later?"

Casey nodded.

"We've docked in Illium," Garrus continued, climbing out of bed. "It's where we're picking up our next squad member, but that's not until tomorrow. Tonight, I thought I'd take you out for dinner. Call it our first official date?"

"I'd love that," Casey replied.

She paused, "What's wrong?" Garrus asked.

"I need to get dressed, but I'm embarrassed." She blushed, holding the sheet against herself. Garrus chuckled, "I've seen you naked, I've done terrible things to you naked, things that the people on this ship would be shocked to hear about. Now get up, and let me enjoy one of the perks of being your boyfriend."

Casey giggled, and got to her feet, leaving the sheet on the bed. She'd always been self conscious about her body. There was no particular reason, she'd just never felt confident being naked around boyfriends. Garrus was different though, he looked at her with a fascinating expression. She could tell he truly thought she was sexy, but not just sexy, he looked at her like he thought she was beautiful. She couldn't quite fathom it. "Do I not look really alien to you? I'm not like Turian women."

He moved closer, running one of his fingers from her shoulder, down one of her arms. "You're different, smooth. Alien? I suppose, but know this: after being with you, Turian women look far more alien to me now."

Casey kissed his hand, before moving to the wardrobe. "I'll leave you to it," Garrus said, "There are a couple of things I need to do before we leave. Meet you in twenty minutes?"

Casey nodded. As Garrus made to leave, he paused. "Wear the white dress."

Garrus had planned this well, while she'd been getting ready he'd told the other crew members that she wasn't up to a trip out yet, and was resting before the mission tomorrow. He'd also said he was too busy calibrating the gun to come out (something no one seemed to question). The crew had a big night planned, and it would be easy for Garrus and Casey to have a quiet night to themselves, and slip back aboard before the others got back. And so that was how Casey found herself walking through the streets of Illium, arm in arm with a man who could make her go weak at the knees by simply saying her name. They walked past several stores selling a variety of items: beautiful fish, weapons, tourist items, and one selling expensive jewellery. Casey found herself stopping at the window of this shop, her eye had been drawn to a necklace in the window. It was quite simple compared with the other items around it, an oval cut opal on a long white gold chain. The lights shining on it made it glow all different colours. But it wasn't the beauty of the necklace that had drawn Casey to it. She put her hand on the glass, unable to tear her eyes away.

"Are you ok?" Garrus asked.

She nodded. "I'm fine, it's just, my mother had a necklace just like that. My dad gave it to her before I was born. She used to let me hold it up to the light to see all the colours. They're meant to be unlucky, opals, she was wearing it when she died... so I guess..."

Garrus nodded. "You didn't get it?"

"I couldn't take it, it was hers. I made sure she was buried wearing it."

"Can I ask how she died?" Garrus' voice was quiet, so that Casey could pretend not to have heard the question if she wanted.

"Batarian slavers. We were visiting relatives off world, I don't remember much about it, I was so young. All I know is they were killed in a struggle, and I was shipped back to Earth. I was raised by my aunt, but we weren't close." Casey's eyes flicked to the price tag. The necklace was expensive, but she could afford it. She was actually getting a wage, that was something to be said about Cerberus at least! "I might buy it," she said, looking up at Garrus. "I know it's not hers, but it's something."

"Let me."

"Let you what?"

"Let me buy it for you," Garrus replied.

Casey shook her head. "I can afford it."

"I know you can," Garrus smiled, "But I want to."

Casey wasn't sure, she didn't like the idea of Garrus spending so much money on her, especially so early on in their relationship. Unfortunately, Garrus had already entered the store, and was pointing to the necklace in the window. The Asari clerk nodded, and within moments Garrus was back outside holding a small bag. "You didn't have to," Casey began.

"I wanted to."

They had found a quiet, outdoor restaurant overlooking a beautiful plaza, with a huge fountain in the middle. They'd finished dinner and had moved on to dessert, and Casey couldn't believe how normal this all felt: just having dinner with her boyfriend. "It's weird isn't it?" Garrus asked. "We could be anybody right now, just a couple who met at work, or through friends, not two people who found each other trying to save the galaxy."

"You read my mind," Casey replied.

"You look really beautiful tonight," Garrus said. Then his eyes fell onto her bandaged arms.

"I'm fine," Casey insisted. "If they scar then we'll match."

Garrus smiled, and reached into the little bag, which was on the floor under the table. "May I?" He asked, taking the necklace out. Casey nodded, and he stood up and walked behind her chair. He fastened the chain around her neck, and Casey reached up to touch the stone. It really was beautiful.

Unfortunately the moment was ruined when a Turian woman arrived at the table. "Garrus?" She asked. "I thought it was you!"

Garrus moved back to his seat and sat down. "Ilena?"

"It's been too long!" The woman replied, grasping her hands together. "How long have you been on Ilium?"

"Only just arrived, you?" Garrus was polite enough, friendly even, but something about his answers felt a little forced.

"Oh I've been here for a year now. I actually work at this restaurant! My friend said she'd just served a handsome Turian and I just knew it must've been you!" She paused, "But, Spirits, what happened to your face?"

"Ah, long story."

"Poor thing," she replied in a sickly sweet voice. Casey felt very awkward, like she was a third wheel on their date.

"It's nothing," Garrus replied briskly. "Anyway, this is a great place, we've really enjoyed our meals, right Case?"

Finally Ilena glanced at Casey, eyeing her suspiciously. "This...this is a friend of yours?" She asked.

"My girlfriend," Garrus replied without skipping a beat, and Casey felt herself swell with pride.

Ilena looked at Casey like she was a nasty smell. "Oh, I see," she said sourly. "Well, excuse me."

She quickly made her way towards the kitchen, and Garrus leaned forwards. "Sorry about that."

"Ex girlfriend?" Casey asked.

"No...well...not really."

Casey didn't need any more of an explanation. "Right," she replied.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea she worked here."

"It's fine," Casey replied. And it was. Garrus had made it clear he was with Casey, and that was good enough for her. She smiled, and Garrus got up, holding out his hand to help her to her feet. He turned on his Omni-tool, and digitally paid for the meal before Casey could protest. "What is it with you and paying for things?" She asked as they walked away. "Not trying to sound ungrateful, but I'm not someone who expects that!"

"It's a Turian thing," Garrus replied. "I guess it's kind of primal. We have this in-build need to look after our mates, protect them, feed them, all that kind of stuff. This just comes with that. Another element of having a Turian boyfriend." He pulled Casey closer, and they continued on in silence for a while.

"Ilena's clearly still interested," Casey said as they began to make their way back to the ship.

"Well, who could blame her?" Garrus asked in a mock serious tone.

Casey shoved him playfully. "I'm serious, I'm surprised she didn't bite me."

"I'm the only one who gets to do that," Garrus growled, gently nibbling her ears.

"So there's no attraction there for you?" Casey asked. She wasn't sure why she was pushing this, but now she'd asked she couldn't take it back. They were in a quiet alleyway now, and Garrus stopped walking, turning to face her. "The only person I'm attracted to right now, is you. In fact, especially right now, because seeing you in that dress reminds me of the first time you wore it, and how I finally got to do everything I'd wanted to do with you."

Casey raised an eyebrow, "Everything?"

Garrus looked confused, "What do you mean?"

"There's nothing else you'd like to do? Something we haven't done yet?"

Garrus looked even more confused. "I'm kind of limited by my experience with Turian women who, if I'm honest, aren't really big on sex. If there's something you want to try though, I'm game."

Casey couldn't believe what she was hearing, and she looked around. The alley was deserted. "Keep an eye open," she said, surprised at her ability to take charge.

"Here? Now?" Garrus asked, but she could see he was intrigued.

Casey nodded, and reached out, slipping her hand inside his pants before he could argue. He became hard almost instantly, and let out a little groan. "Eyes open, Vakarian," she ordered. "You're my look-out."

Casey dropped to her knees, delighted to see the look of confusion on Garrus' face. She unzipped his pants completely, though didn't pull them down. Instead she pulled his cock through the gap, and stroked it gently with her fingers. Ensuring she kept her eyes fixed on him, she didn't want to miss his expression, she slipped him into her mouth. The look on Garrus' face was priceless, shock, disbelief, and above all, pleasure. She couldn't take all of him, he was far too big for that, but Casey had always been good at this, and could go pretty far. Garrus closed his eyes, and she tapped him gently. He opened them again, scanning the alley lazily as she continued to suck on him. He wasn't too rough on her mouth, which was a good thing, and her tongue darted across his skin eagerly. She felt his hands on the back of her head, easing himself deeper into her every time she teased him by drawing away. His eyes were on her now, the possibility of being caught forgotten. She knew it wouldn't take long, and heard his breathing start to speed up. He made to pull himself out of her mouth, but she didn't allow it. She'd never really been big on this part before, but with Garrus it was different. She wanted everything, she wanted to feel it all, to taste him. She got her wish, and soon the taste of him overcame her senses. It wasn't like doing this with a human man, there was something decidedly fruity about the way he tasted, twinned with an almost alcoholic tang. As she swallowed everything, she began to feel woozy. Oh crap, I forgot, she thought faintly. She wobbled on her knees, and felt Garrus grab hold of her arms before she fell.

"Are you ok?" He asked, sounding worried.

Casey felt better than ok, she was drunk. Drunk on Garrus. She giggled at the thought, but tried to clear her head so that she could answer. "S'different with you," she said, wondering if he understood at all what she meant. He smiled, and she watched as he quickly zipped his pants back up, before easing her to her feet. He looked at her for what seemed like the longest time.

"I know exactly what you mean," he replied, slipping his arm around her waist and walking her gently back to the ship.