"Geez, do you ever leave this couch?" Shepard exclaimed, examining the room like always. Aria knew she would punch him sooner or later. Her guards stood point, one Batarian and one Turian. Patriarch stood below, ranting to a few bored looking guests. The Bartenders wiped the counters, eyeing the customers. Everything was the same, it brought Aria comfort. Shepard flopped down next to Aria on the sofa. She felt a pang of annoyance as he relaxed as if he owned the place. Her glass had been refilled, but with water this time. In her hand, two pain relief pills.
"I leave whenever I want." Aria replied, popping the pills in her mouth.
Shepard watched with a smirk.
"Ah, those are for your legendary hangover I take it? You were pretty fucked up."
Aria's glare could have melted ice, but Shepard seemed unfazed. Her head was still throbbing and she could still taste the Brandy on her tongue. She ignored Shepard's comment and took a small sip of water. It was pungent and warm. Aria would have scolded a guard for it but she didn't have the energy. Instead, she turned to Shepard for her answers.
"You never told me why your here."
"Have you already forgotten about my poor Vorcha mother? And here I told her to bring you some Brandy."
Aria tried to show anger, but her pain dimmed it down.
"Enough with the games, I want the truth-"
"Wait, isn't Twenty Questions a game?" Shepard interrupted. "Not that we've been playing it right anyway but-"
"That's not what I meant and you know it!"
"How am I suppose to know what you meant? I can't read minds!"
"Will you shut up?" Aria hissed. Shepard closed his mouth, pressing his lips in a hard line. The corner of his mouth twitched as he tried to hide his smile. Their eyes didn't waver from each others. Aria was careful with each one of her words.
"Why are you still here? On Omega?"
Shepard's usual grin was a little more serious than before. "Well, you already know that I needed Archangel and the Doctor." He leaned back and shut his eyes. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. Aria gazed at him, letting herself remember every detail. A strong jaw and deep blue eyes, framed by light lashes. Just a small amount of stubble along with full lips. Handsome was an inadequate word to describe him. Aria's eyes lingered on his lips longer than they should have.
Shepard's eyes opened and Aria jumped, embarrassed by her lack of self control. He didn't seem to notice the change of color in her face. It took her a few seconds to realize Shepard was waiting for Aria to respond.
"If you have what you came for then why stay?" She steadied her wavering voice. "Omega isn't the safest place for your type."
Shepard grimaced at the words "Your Type". Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward. He was close, close enough for Aria to reach him. She resisted the urge to move closer.
"I wouldn't have been able to find them without your help. And I helped you too did I not?" Shepard's voice had become more business like. "You know I'm working with Cerberus, a group that has few allies. The Alliance won't help me, nor will anyone else. We can't fix anything without some more support, support like yours.
Aria blinked. "You want to be partners? A favor for a favor?" She laughed. "An alliance with a crime lord?"
Shepard rolled his eyes. "Like Cerberus is any better. Look, I trust them as much as you do, but they are the only ones facing these issues and they can't face them alone." He gazed at her expectantly. Aria studied her options while Shepard sat beside her impatiently.
Cerberus obviously couldn't be trusted, but Shepard seemed genuine. They have top notch resources along with massive amounts of income. If she refused, chances are Cerberus would be back to try and take down Omega. Aria knew how to handle things herself, but an ally like Shepard could turn the tables on her enemies.
Not to mention Shepard would be staying.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He apparently got bored of waiting for Aria. His attention was turned to her guards, smirking at their emotionless faces. The Batarian hissed through his teeth at him but Shepard didn't back down.
Aria cleared her throat.
Shepard turned his attention back to Aria, one eyebrow raised.
She lifted her chin. "You want this... Partnership to work? The Illusive Man keeps his grubby little hands off of Omega. While your here, you answer to me. Any plans you have here, I get to know about." She narrowed her eyes. "And if you try to keep any secrets, I will tear your ass apart. Am I clear?"
Shepard grinned. "Crystal clear."
Aria nodded in response. Her threats were more of a front than actual promises. She couldn't have him thinking she was soft. Her guards were starring at her, surprise settling in. Shepard's smile was bright as he jumped up.
"Then it's settled, I'll be back later. I have a few things do-"
"Where do you think your going?" Aria interrupted. Shepard stopped, surprised.
"You only answered one of my questions."
Shepard groaned. "Come on, we're partners now, we can talk whenever." He laughed as Aria flinched at the word "Partners".
"I did just say I would be back later, didn't I?"
"You're not leaving. Sit."
He sighed, exasperated. "Fine." He flopped back down. "You know? I think you just want me to answer questions so I can stay here longer."
Aria stiffened. "Your wrong."
"Uh huh. No one blames you for falling for me, sweetheart."
Aria snapped her fingers. The Batarian guard landed a hard punch to Shepard's chest. He coughed and sputtered.
"God Damn! Was that really necessary?"
"I said no more games."
"Your so cruel." He moaned, but his cocky smile was slowly forming again. Aria glared.
"Just answer the question."
"I can't answer a question I don't know."
Aria felt heat rise to her face again, both anger and embarrassment. She forgot to tell him the next question. Shepard looked amused.
"Just what kind of help do you want from me?"
He winked. "What are you offering?"
Aria raised her hand, ready to snap her fingers, but Shepard intervened.
"Okay, I get it, no more jokes." He let out a deep breath when her hand lowered. "I've already helped with Archangel and the Doctor. Your own guards couldn't do it."
Aria narrowed her eyes at Shepard. He raised his hands in protest.
"Don't get me wrong, your guards are tough." He eyed the Batarian guard who huffed. "But Cerberus has access that they don't, and the best artillery out there. I give you protection from Cerberus and help with any issues here on Omega, and you feed me information and protection here on Omega."
Aria listened with interest. It wasn't a bad deal, an easy enough promise to keep.
"Fine. But Omega belongs to me. You don't change anything without my consent. And you keep our transactions to yourself." She glanced at her guards. "If any info somehow gets leaked, I'll kill all three of you."
The Turian and Batarian jumped. Shepard's smirk didn't faulter.
"Deal."
"Just know there are some people on Omega I can't protect you from." She warned. "Now get out before you piss me off again."
"Me? Piss you off? Impossible."
This time it was Aria who punched him. It didn't do as much damage as the punch from the Batarian, but enough to make Shepard kneel. She grinned at him from above, although her knuckle was slightly bruised.
"This alliance might not be as bad."
Shepard grimaced. "You're such an Ice Queen."
"Get used to it."
He slowly stood, his eyes on Aria.
Bartenders were still eyeing the customers. It was all the same and yet Aria could see everything with a new perspective.
"Trust me. I will."
And with one more smirk, he sauntered out of the room. Aria watched him go with her guards beside her. The Batarian grunted.
"Idiot."
Aria lips twitched with a smile. She watched Shepard leave Afterlife with his crew. The Quarian girl glanced behind her, up at Aria. She glared. The Quarian looked away and hurried over to Shepard. Omega returned to its usual schedule once they were gone. Her guard remained by her side. Patriarch was still ranting. The Bartenders still cleaned their counters with a professional hand. It was all the same, and yet Aria could see things with a new perspective.