I wholeheartedly apologize to my readers for the terrible delay! This chapter was unfortunately met with much procrastination, rewriting, and more procrastination. I think I finally got it to where I want it though and I hope the result more than makes up for the wait!
My intention was to end the story at Chapter 20, but that's obviously not going to happen, so expect a few more!
Saren returned to the hospital in the late afternoon. Though he had received Mordin's message much earlier, he decided to give it some time before rushing off to see her. Realistically he needed more time to calm his nerves. The news that she was safe was overwhelming, to say the least. And after spending last night in her quarters, wrapped in her faintly lingering scent, he had feared the worst.
Just as he was about to approach the reception desk, he stopped dead as he saw Krios exit from the inner sanctum of the hospital. Anxiety and irritation quickly clouded his mind as he watched the assassin approach. The moment their eyes connected, the drell's lips formed into a straight line of discontent.
"Arterius," Krios greeted quickly while continuing to press his path forward. He seemingly wanted to avoid confrontation for obvious reasons. But that wasn't going to happen. Saren wouldn't allow it.
Saren grasped Thane's arm before he dashed too far off, pulling him back to face glowing blue eyes. "What brings you here, drell?" he hissed, not bothering to hide his accusing tone.
"Visiting," Thane replied simply. He glanced briefly at the turian's claws as they came close to piercing the leather of his jacket. His eyebrow ridge rose questionably.
"Shepard?" Saren didn't have to ask. The answer was much too obvious.
"Yes," Thane replied, staring blankly at the turian.
Somehow, despite his intense rage, Saren resisted the strong urge to tighten the hold his razor claws had on the drell. "How did you know she was here?" he growled, his teeth baring with the question.
"She requested my presence. For advice," he added. "I gave her all that I could."
"Choose your words carefully, Krios," he growled, squeezing his arm in warning. He couldn't believe she had requested Krios, her ex-lover, to visit. He felt both offended and angry at the idea. How dare she? After all they'd been through…
As if reading the turian's thoughts, Thane scowled and shrugged his arm from the threatening grasp. "I may hold her council, Saren, but I do not hold her heart. She has made that clear to me, but seemingly not so clear to you. Judging from the mark on her arm I would have guessed otherwise." He tilted his head curiously. "Unless she was not made aware of its meaning…?"
Saren ignored his final accusation, hanging onto his first statement with a shamefully desperate hope. "Why did she need your advice?"
The drell studied him, noting the significant change in both his tone and expression. Swallowing a touch of lingering jealousy he allowed a small smile to tug at the corner of his lips. "She was concerned about you."
Saren perked up, his eyes glowing with curiosity. "Concerned? Why?"
"She was worried you were angry with her, as you hadn't yet arrived," Thane explained. "Though, I assured her you were merely concerned and wanted to allow her more time to rest."
Saren opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't form the words. Why would the drell speak in his defense? He'd never treated him with anything more than contempt. Perhaps Krios wasn't so bad after all… "I— appreciate it," Saren muttered finally.
"You should probably go see her. She's been waiting all day," Thane rumbled before silently slipping away.
Saren now stood alone in quiet contemplation. How self-centered he had been. He was so quick to accuse her of betrayal and dishonesty without thinking about how she may have felt. After shaking away those thoughts and regaining his composure, he made his way to her room in the inner hospital. He stopped before the glass, peering in to find Shepard standing before the window overlooking the Presidium. To his relief neither Mordin, nor any of the hospital staff who had tended to her, were anywhere to be found. Swallowing, he pushed the button and was quickly met with a deafening "swoosh" of the opening door.
Shepard turned at the sound, her expression lighting up upon seeing him. "Saren!" she exclaimed, outwardly relieved.
He nearly staggered back, the intense glow of her eyes taking him by surprise. No longer the slivery grey he remembered, they now illuminated a vibrant green. The effects of the Reaper core no doubt, but why? He felt a sense of relief that they were quite different from his, a result of Sovereign's malicious alterations.
"How are you feeling?" The simple inquiry came with many other underlying questions and, judging from her glare, she knew it.
"I don't feel indoctrinated, if that's what you're asking."
"That's not—" When she crossed her arms, challenging him to continue with his denial, he paused. "Okay maybe that was some of my concern," he admitted finally.
Giving him a warm smile, she moved away from the window to stand within an arm's length of him. He strongly resisted every desire he had to reach out to her.
"Mordin thinks that the Reaper core had something to do with an alteration in my physiology," she explained as if reading his thoughts. "Improved. By synthesis."
"Synthesis?" He tilted his head questionably.
"In this case, a molding of organic and synthetic life. Organic, being me. Synthetic, being the core."
"Your eyes…?"
"Yes. It seems my vision has been significantly improved, as has the rest of my body and mind."
Giving into his craving he allowed his hand to move lightly over her cheek which seemed to glow, a similar green, in response to his touch. Folding her hand over his, she pressed his palm against her flesh. It was so warm and welcoming. She almost felt lonely when it finally left. "Yes. It seems my vision has been significantly improved, as has the rest of my body and mind."
"How is that possible?" Saren asked finally.
She shrugged. "I believe there is more to it than just my body's reaction to the chip. At some point after the implant I started hearing the voices of the Reapers in my head. They made me feel anxious and insecure. Made me question all I'd ever believed. That my only salvation was in their purging of organic life."
"Indoctrination…" Saren mumbled as a much too familiar chill spiked up his spine.
Sensing his discomfort, she slipped a hand around his neck and pulled his forehead towards hers until they touched. "Yes, indoctrination," she whispered after she felt him relax. "I thought I was done; thought they had succeeded in taking me. But I was torn away from their grasp by another force, something far more powerful. I can't explain in words what happened after. It's like waking up from a dream of which you can only recall fragments." She paused, stealing a brief moment to nuzzle Saren's cheek before parting their connection. Though they were no longer touching, she remained close enough to feel the familiar and comforting sensation of his aura.
"This is a lot to take in, Shepard," Saren said grimly. "And there's still many questions left unanswered."
"I know. In time perhaps we'll learn more. But my primary hope is that it aids us in our fight."
Saren bowed his head dejectedly. He still couldn't understand how she so easily placed the lives of others above her own. Sure, he wanted to win against the Reapers. But what would it all mean if he were to lose her? It was a thought he couldn't bear.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you… Before I went through with all this," she murmured, breaking him free of his darkening thoughts. She half-closed her eyes, nearly losing herself in the sensation of his warm breath fanning against her skin. "I wanted to, but I admit, I didn't know how you'd react. I was afraid you would try to stop me. And I didn't want to risk losing you in my stead."
"Shepard, it's okay," Saren whispered. He knew she was right; he would have tried to stop her. It was almost frightening how well she'd grown to know him in this short amount of time, and yet she didn't realize it. Catching her arm in his hand, he lightly rubbed his thumb over the tender healing wounds left by his bonding mark. "I am not without my own uncertainties and secrets, as I have not yet had the quads to admit the significance of this scar."
As if seeing them for the first time, she peered down at the pink marks that dotted her arm in a neat pattern. She hadn't thought anything of it when he bit her. Since her turian mating experience had only ever been with Saren, she wasn't entirely versed in the practice. Judging from what she already knew about turians, she only assumed marring was just another part of it. "Turians don't typically bite during sex?"
"Well, yes, they do," he admitted. "However, we don't bite to leave a permanent mark unless we have chosen a bond mate… or as in your culture, a spouse."
Her eyes widened in surprise, though thankfully, there was no trace of disdain or regret. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I'm use to taking what I want, Shepard. No questions, no doubts. But this… thing between us challenges my resolve in ways I'd never thought possible. In truth, I feared you would reject me. We do not take such unions lightly. And for me to mark you without first obtaining your approval is… well, in your culture, it'd be worse than tricking someone into completing a marriage ceremony." His blue eyes peered at her searchingly, almost begging for some type of reassurance. To his satisfaction, he was met with the most beautiful and genuine smile he'd ever seen.
"I don't think I've made my feelings clear enough to you, Saren. Maybe I should reiterate," she purred, eyes flaring like the bright green of an aurora.
Before he could respond she twisted her fingers into the fabric of his shirt and pulled him to her. The sensation of her mouth against his, though ever strange, sent shockwaves to his groin. His plates were already shifted by the time she snaked her tongue between his hard lips. Licking at the inside of his mouth he could taste her arousal on her hot breath. With it, came a desire for him that was spurred by something deeper than merely lust. The knowledge of its presence drove him wild. Allowing his more feral tendencies to take over, he grabbed her shoulders roughly in his claw-adorned grasp. Turning them both around he backed her up against the wall, closest to the door, and beyond line of sight of any who might decide to peer in.
Pinning her against the wall, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, nuzzling and teasing her flesh with the occasional wisp of his tongue. It didn't take long until he found her hands seeking his enlarged and throbbing member. Her slender fingers danced over the sensitive area, drawing a deep aching groan from his mouth. And when they successfully found the zipper that was the lock to his cage, he was never happier that turian clothing was so… accommodating.
Shepard wrapped her hand around his swollen shaft, rubbing the tender underside with her thumb while the other hand lightly caressed over the tip. As she performed her magic on him, he stealthily slipped his hands under her hospital gown and began gripping and rubbing her ass, thoroughly enjoying the way it felt in his palms.
"Not wearing undergarments around the salarian? Not sure I approve," he teased, the reverberation of his voice against her flesh making her giggle.
"Mordin?" she laughed. "I wouldn't worry. That man is only turned on by his research."
"Me too… As long as that research involves you." He tightened the hold on her rear, while his tongue flicked teasingly over her jawline. He failed to hold back a shudder and a grunt when her hands seemingly located some of his lubricant and used it to slicken her movements over him.
She smiled, satisfaction written all over her face. "Sounds like I'm succeeding making my feelings clear."
"Almost. But I think I'm going to need more convincing." There were several ideas he had in mind, and he knew she would likely be willing to satisfy at least one of them.
"Let's see what I can do…" she cooed, giving him a playful grin before sliding her back down the wall until her knees hit the floor. Positioning herself before his engorged member, she peered up at him to see the look of anticipation that was plastered all over his face. Taking his shaft in her hand she licked at it, lightly at first, before taking the tip into her mouth.
Bracing himself with his palms against the wall, Saren drew in a deep hiss of breath as the sensation shook him to his core. "Shepard… Do you really think we should do this here?" he asked, glancing hesitantly at the door. As the warm wetness left his throbbing cock, he seriously regretted asking that question.
Shepard gazed up at him with wide, almost pleading, illuminated eyes. "Do you really want me to stop?" she teased.
He clenched his teeth when she licked at it again, taking a bit of his fluid on her tongue. "No," he growled, dropping one hand to twist his fingers in her soft red hair.
The moment she parted her lips again, Saren was unable to control himself. He bucked his hips forward, shoving his length deep into her mouth, while taking care not to choke her. Her tongue swirled around the underside of his shaft concentrating on the base just above his plates. When her mouth slid back up the length to the tip, her hand wrapped around it to add extra sensation. It drove him wild.
As her mouth and hand worked collaboratively with one another, sliding smoothly up and down his cock, he nearly gasped. "Spirits, Shepard—Don't stop." Staring down at her, seeing her lips wrapped tightly around his swollen member and the slick sheen left behind by her saliva, he was quickly driven to his peak. Careful not to thrust his hips for fear of hurting her, he clamped his teeth and grasped at the wall as he met his release.
As she licked him clean he shuddered, feeling himself eagerly rise to attention again. Grasping her shoulders he lifted her to her feet and used his body to press her against the wall. Moving in to give her a quick nuzzle, he purred against her neck, "That was amazing."
"Perhaps I should show you how I feel more often," she hummed through a smile.
"We're not done yet," he growled. Lifting her gown above her hips, he poked the tip of his cock in the little triangle of space between her thighs and sweet spot. Grinding it against her he could feel the little nub of flesh there stroke against him welcomingly.
Suddenly the clearly recognizable "swoosh" of the door made them both freeze. Afraid to move from their current position and reveal too much of what was occurring, they remained in place and simultaneously turned heads to meet the intruder.
Raising a loose fist to his mouth, Mordin cleared his throat before speaking. "See you are feeling better, Shepard. Interest in sexual activity very good sign. Will give you few minutes to finish. Must conduct additional tests shortly." Eyes shining with apparent approval, the salarian left the way he came, leaving Shepard and Saren alone once again.
The couple turned back to one another, a mixture of discomfort and bemusement clear in their features. Shepard couldn't help but laugh at the awkward situation.
"Well the salarian certainly knows how to kill the mood," Saren grumbled, realizing his length had already begun its retreat.
"We'll pick up where we left off tomorrow, I can promise that," Shepard assured, a wicked grin crossing her lips.
"I'll hold you to that," Saren rumbled with interest. The way she looked at him, it seemed as if there was more she wanted to say. "What is it?" he asked, trying to ease her apprehension.
She bit her lower lip hesitantly. "I was thinking… I'd like us to go somewhere. Have some fun before we jump back into the fray."
"Fun?" he inquired curiously. "What were you thinking?"
Shepard pondered for a moment before her eyes lit up, even more than they already were. "How about Purgatory?"
Her suggestion surprised him and he'd be lying if he said it didn't make him more than a bit nervous. Though he doubted anyone would recognize him – the influx of refugees would no doubt take care of that concern – he'd never been one for large crowds. "The club? Somehow I don't picture you as the clubbing type, Shepard."
"I've had my moments. Besides, a girl has to let her hair down once in a while."
Saren blinked at her with puzzlement. "You typically wear your hair down."
Grinning, she gifted him with a quick kiss on his mouth. "I'll see you tomorrow."
He nodded his agreement before reluctantly taking his leave. It was going to be a long night…