Title: Ilos Chapter Seven
Author: DinkyMew and JagesPages
Game: Mass Effect (one)
Disclaimer: Bioware own all content and characters related to the Mass Effect franchise. Abigail Shepard is my own creation inspired by the character of Jane Shepard created by Bioware. Any original characters contained herein are my own creations (with the exception of Vindex Foster who is the sole property of Julie Jones and the Swagger Vasa Chronicles) and are not necessarily affiliated with Bioware. **You may not copy, edit or distribute this fanfiction as it stands without my expressed permission – thank you**
They clattered into the apartment, the noise enough to wake the neighbours but he didn't care as he cradled Shepard's head, her mouth was on his and that was all he could think about. Somehow he managed to reach a hand behind him and closed the front door with a slam and then as though they had a mind of their own they moved to her, seeking her out like light in the darkness and he pressed them under her sweater against cool flesh making her gasp as she leaned back from the kiss.
"You're going to shock me again." He said "aren't you?"
She blushed, her brow crinkling at the top of her nose "I don't mean to." She whispered and he smiled, bringing his mouth to hers again and as he predicted a wave of static shot over his skin, making him flinch and groan as she laughed a little against his lips.
"Is that going to happen all night?" He whispered, walking her backwards into his kitchen.
She shook her head, stumbling a little, her hands gripping his strong forearms as he pushed her over the kitchen table "I have no idea." She said honestly, gripping the back of his neck as he kissed his way down her throat "I've never done this before."
Hobbs paused, taken aback as he broke the contact to look at her carefully. She was blushing again, her hair splayed over the kitchen table and she was watching him nervously "You've never done this before?" He asked her carefully and she shook her head. He hesitated, a question passing between them unasked and she smiled, gripping his sweater greedily as she pulled him back on top of her.
"I've never done this with a biotic." He breathed "Please don't… fry me… or anything like that."
At that she giggled, and he felt himself go weak at the knees, wrapping fingers around the waistband of her jeans he tugged them down and she squealed, excitement and anticipation and lust and love brimming to her surface as they laughed, dropping her jeans to the floor. She reached for him, her hands scrambling up his body as she lifted the sweater from him, mouth pressing to the scar on his shoulder eagerly and he pulled her back, sweeping her hair from her face, taking in the vision of her, running his finger over her lips gently.
"I love you Tempy." He said and her smile widened "You brought me back from the black."
"I love you." She said thickly, locking her thighs at his hips "Forever. And ever. And ever." She cocked her head to the side, her hair washing over her shoulder in a dark wave as she kissed him gently – that same brush of static made his skin break into gooseflesh and he shuddered, pressing her back, flat on the table as he ran a hand down her body. The response was visual, not only her arching back, her mouth opening as she closed her eyes and sighed, but by the sudden blue tendrils that broke out from her skin, like steam – twisting and coiling over her and licking at his flesh as he pressed a hand to her abdomen.
He was mesmerised – and a little terrified – he had no experience of biotics whatsoever and had no idea if she was about to blow his mind – or blow his mind, literally. Feeling his gaze on her the blue steam whispered away and he found himself wanting it back, meeting her gaze as she blinked at him – pulling her sweater down over his hand.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" She asked, her expression unsure as she made to sit up.
"I'm not!" He smiled "I'm sorry." He shook his head, pressing his mouth over hers again gently "You're so beautiful – I was just.." He shook his head "I don't know… I 've never seen a biotic before…"
"You make me sound like an alien." She said against his mouth and he smiled, going with her this time as they fell back onto the table.
"An angel." He whispered, tickling her ear with his breath "Don't ever think you're not perfect Tempy."
Her hands came to his face, that blue light coming back in a flash as she kissed him fiercely "Don't let me go." She begged and he crushed his eyes closed, feeling the spark of her biotics as they kissed his skin and at long last – after months of battling, fighting, pleading, praying – he felt those barriers she kept up so rigidly finally crumble as she pressed to him.
"Oh Tempy." He groaned "Don't worry about that. I'm not going anywhere."
I promise.
"Funny you're the broken one but I'm the only one who needed saving
Cause when you never see the light it's hard to know which one of us is caving"
He heard her voice – like sudden static it rushed into his head, his eyes fluttering open as he heard her singing down the hall as she made breakfast.
"Not really sure how to feel about it.
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you.
It takes me all the way.
I want you to stay"
And just like that he was swallowed by blackness again, deep and unforgiving as it encased him in its void.
Hobbs breathed, the sound heavy inside the blackness of his head as he frowned, unable to open his eyes. He relaxed, letting himself slip a little – letting his consciousness come back to him in its own time and at its own pace, he was in no hurry.
Sensations began to tingle at his hands, the feel of a bed – soft, the sheets crisp, clean. There was a noise, a monotonous beep in the corner, like an alarm, but the noise shone blue in his head – blue like Shepard and he smiled, remembering the way she had looked before him on that table – remembering their first night where she had clung to him like it was their last and promised him the world.
The thought receded, replaced by sensation on skin – damp, cold, and he flinched. At last finding the strength to raise his lids to half open. He rumbled, his leg jerking as he blinked against the white light, the silhouette of a woman leaning over him.
"Tempy?" He asked unsure.
Genevieve flicked dark hair over shoulder as she twisted the cloth between her fingers again, draining the water before turning back to the still form in the bed. It wasn't often her work had perks, the Alliance hospital on the citadel was a good enough job, but it didn't fit her energy levels – it didn't fit her desire to travel; or fight for that matter. She spent most of her time helping the sick recover while at home she modded weapons and practised martial arts.
Something in that must have shown through in her interview because the hospital sure hesitated in hiring her didn't they? Maybe it was the tattoo on her face, the blue ink a proud heritage to the turian her grandfather married – the couple who raised her into adulthood on Palaven while her actual father gambled and pissed his money away in a back alley on earth.
She wasn't bitter though, Myria had given her all the love she could have hoped from a human woman, and she had never wanted for anything – nothing they could give her anyway, but she had always felt like she was supposed to be somewhere else.
With a cheeky smile she drew the blanket further down the patient's chest, feeling her face flush as she ran her eyes over his sculpted form. It felt incredibly naughty – and she couldn't understand why, perhaps because it wasn't often they got patients in so … well formed.
She smiled, dabbing the cloth gently over his healing shoulder. Apparently he had saved the Citadel with Commander Shepard – and true enough she practically lived in this room with him, having only stepped out to speak with an officer who was asking for her and this was the first time Genevieve had been close enough to look at him properly. She had harboured this crush for the time she had cared for him and finally she could actually look at him closely.
He had been here a month now, and was still the talk of the ward. Not only was he gorgeous but he went from being on life support to responsive in a relatively short time – almost a medical miracle, although she didn't believe in those, not really – more likely it was due to his incredible fitness level.
He stirred, his lips moving as he mumbled something and she paused, wondering if she should call for a nurse or not. His eyes flickered open and she dropped the cloth, bending quickly to the floor to retrieve it.
"Nice view," he said, drowsy from the pain medication. His eyes roved over the shapely bottom and his hand reached out.
Genevieve's eyes widened as a firm hand gently cupped one bum cheek and gave it a squeeze. Gods, she thought, wondering what to do. She knew he was in love with Shepard. You had to be blind not to see that. He muttered a pet name all the time and she had seen Shepard hold his hand a lot during the month's recovery. It's the drugs, she told herself firmly as she straightened to her five eight height.
His eyes were open, but she knew he wasn't seeing her. He was seeing the Commander —he was reaching for her, touching her. A warm hand still with an IV in it came up and long fingers closed over her arm.
"Tempy, don't go." He closed his eyes and moaned.
Part of her job was to monitor his pain regiment. "On a scale of one to ten, how much pain are you in?" A boyfriend had once said her voice was like velvet dipped in honey. What did that even mean?
She took his pulse, and he moved so that his fingers inserted between hers and curled up, trapping hers securely against his skin. She swallowed.
"On a scale of one to ten, how much pain are…"
He brought her hand up to his full mouth and kissed it. She forgot how to talk or move, for that matter. "Better when you're here." His warm lips moved against her skin.
Genevieve fought hard against the attraction she felt for this man—some of it was because he was taken, because he showed a loyalty few men possessed. He snaked his other arm around her waist and tugged. It caught her off guard and he was able to pull her to him, on top of him. "You can kiss it away—like you used to." A dreamy smile flickered on his handsome features.
Genevieve was not a promiscuous type, but this man did things to her she couldn't explain. "Where does it hurt?"
He flicked his head to the side where his shoulder was heavily bandaged. "There."
She moved and kissed it. His smile turned seductive. "Here." He raised his elbow and she kissed it.
"Where else?" She could barely speak. This was wrong on so many levels.
"Here?"
There was a cut on his full bottom lip. Did he want her to kiss him? She struggled internally and then mentally shrugged. What the hell? It might make him feel better.
She sat up, freezing for a moment as he shifted to accommodate her weight. Her gleaming black hair with the white streak she'd been born with fell like a silky curtain on his chest as she lowered her head. She paused, a breath away from his mouth. She could still stop.
And then Hobbs took control away from her. He groaned at the delay, wanting Tempy's lips on his, wanting to taste her again. His hands shot up and his fingers wound into the silky mass of her hair and he pulled her down on top of him—all the way on top of him. ''Kiss me," he whispered, voice so low and deep, it made her belly quiver.
One kiss, she promised herself. It wouldn't hurt him and it wouldn't hurt her and it would be something magical she could carry with her for the rest of her life. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his…and it was magical for the few seconds it lasted. She was compelled to open her eyes and his turquoise eyes swam into sharp relief as he broke the kiss abruptly.
"Sorry… luv, but I'm taken." His keen eyes ran over her lovely, crimson face. "IF I wasn't…"
She shakily regained her feet, aided by her patient. She stared at the floor, her gaze wavering to the door where it stopped on a pair of black combat boots. Oh, gods, don't let it be his Tempy! It wasn't. It was his cute brother who must have seen what just happened because his eyes were narrowed in merriment and he was holding his stomach he was laughing so hard.
"Please, miss?" Hobbs sat up in bed. He frowned, found a water bottle and heaved it at his brother's head. Foster ducked, wheezing with laughter.
"It's ok. I know. You thought I was her. I…" Mortified, Genevieve couldn't find any words. She quickly stepped out of the room.
Foster stopped laughing, wiping his eyes, his face elated. "You're back! I'm glad I was the one to walk in on that and not Shepard."
"Tempy chose Kaidan, so she can't get mad at me if I kiss another girl.' He smiled and licked his lips. "A very cute girl by the way."
"Don't kid your kid brother. I know how you feel about her. How was the kiss?"
Hobbs looked for something else to throw, but there was nothing on the table next to the bed. "Very nice." Remorse flooded into his eyes. "I thought she was Abigail."
"If that's what finally woke you out of the stupor you've been in, then I'll have to find her and kiss her myself!" Foster bent, brushed the hair from his brother's forehead and smooched him on the bruise that was rapidly turning yellow. It was a loud, juicy kiss. "All better?" he crooned then danced away, holding his arm where Hobbs' fist struck the bicep. "Ow!"
Hobbs smiled in spite of everything. "Where is she?"
"The girl? You want another go at her?"
He smiled, taking the jest in good humour but held sincerity in his voice as he grinned "There's only one woman for me, Beer. I've heard her talking to me while I was in and out of consciousness. Where is she?"
Foster dipped his head down and scuffed the toe of a boot on the floor.
"She's…with him, isn't she?"
Foster shook his head. "She's talking to Anderson. She's practically been living in this room."
Hobbs felt relief pour through him and he smiled. "You look a little rough, bro."
Foster beamed at him. "I'm better now that you're awake." He crossed to him and carefully placed a hand over his without the IV line. "You had me worried, Socks. All of us. Don't do that again or I'll have to end you."
"Never steal my line," Hobbs admonished and the two brothers hugged awkwardly, Hobbs giving him a slap on the back of the head.
The sound of the door opening made them both pause and he glanced over Foster's shoulder to where Shepard stood in the threshold.
He looked to his brother but Foster got the message loud and clear without him even having to open his mouth. Giving him a one-fingered salute and a sneaky thumbs-up he slipped past Shepard, pausing to squeeze her shoulder affectionately before he left. They had spent the month together – supporting each other, going through each tiny step back to recovery with Hobbs and they had grown very close, he could see that in the way her expression softened. She trusted him.
"Tempy." He said gently, leaning his head back on the pillow as he watched her. She stood a long moment just staring at him, her chest heaving as tears ran down her cheeks.
"You're awake." She said, her voice was strained, wavering and he could see how tired she looked. Her dark hair was dull, pulled back in a spider clip off her face and she looked sickly pale, her blue eyes like ice shards glinting in her beautiful face.
He smiled, nodding slowly "I made a promise." He said thickly.
And then she was moving toward him, her skin prickling with blue energy as she strode toward him fiercely. Without breaking stride she swung onto the bed, his hands grabbing in shock as she straddled him pressing her mouth against his hungrily; desperately and suddenly they were back in time again; fresh into training – curling into each other for protection in the early hours of the morning.
Hobbs felt tears on his face, not sure if they were his or hers, his fingers tangling in her hair as he broke from her mouth, kissing her throat, her shoulder, burying his face in her helplessly. He could feel her bristle as the reality of what she had just done sank in on her and he raised his eyes, the pain in her blue ones making him swallow hard.
He shook his head, his chest aching as he gave her a nervous smile, kissing the cherry of her lips softly "Don't say it." He whispered, breathing into her mouth as he closed his eyes "Don't speak Tempy."
"I have to." She whispered back, soft lips caressing his as they trembled with emotion "I'm sorry."
"No you don't." He insisted, kissing her again, rocking her against him as he pressed her close "You brought me back from the black Tempy." He cried, his voice low and crumbling as he caught her head in his hands, kissing her deeply this time.
"Stop." She whispered, breathless but she made no attempt to move, no attempt to stop him and he couldn't bring himself to either. Her hands smoothed over his shoulders, tracing the lines and swirls of the tribal tattoo there and he smiled seductively, tipping her head back with his nose as he kissed her from memory, feeling the sweet, heady rush of emotion as she moaned against him.
"God you feel…" She murmured and he closed his eyes, pressing his head over her heart as she cradled him close.
"Guys." The voice was Fosters and he felt Shepard flinch against him guiltily as though she had woken from a dream. She turned, scrambling off his lap and adjusting her hooded top, her eyes looking at the floor. "Sorry. It's just the lieutenant is here – I've sent him for coffee… but… I wanted to…" He cleared his throat awkwardly "Sorry."
"Kaidan." Abigail breathed and Hobbs watched her, could see the emotion pass over her face as though she were an open book. She hesitated, moving to the door slowly careful not to meet his gaze.
Kaidan was outside, a plastic cup of coffee in his hand and when he turned to look at her approaching he was wearing a small smile. She had seen him very briefly over the last month and looking at him now she felt intensely guilty as she tucked her hands inside the sleeves of her jacket and returned the small smile.
"Coffee?" He asked "Apparently you needed some."
Shepard frowned, and then remembering what Foster said she nodded "Thanks."
"Can we talk?" The words felt heavy and she brought her eyes to his, his expression was solemn and she blinked, knowing she was facing the choice she had been staggering toward all along – and she didn't feel ready.
"O..Ok." She nodded and waited while he took a seat in the waiting area. Slowly she sat in a chair next to him retrieving her mug of coffee from his fingers and taking a long drink. At least she had something to hide behind.
"Shepard…" He started and she froze, forcing herself to lower the mug "I… uh…" He smiled, his hand rubbing the back of his neck nervously "I know Foster loves his brother. I know he's looking out for him. And that's ok. But…" He cleared his throat "There's a window to Hobb's room. I don't think he realised that when he was barring the door."
Shepard closed her eyes "Kaidan…"
"Hey!" He smiled at her, splaying his hands nervously "I'm not angry… I mean… I'm not happy, but I'm… I'm not angry either." His dark eyes moved to the floor as he chewed on his lip "I came here to …well, to see you." He said finally "I'm glad Hobbs is ok. I am. He saved your life, I can't hate the guy – and I can see you are going through a lot right now, you're upset, emotional – maybe confused…" He shook his head "So I'm here to…" He swallowed "To let you go." He nodded sombrely "To give you space, to figure out what it is you want."
He paused a moment as a nurse strode by, folding his arms over his chest "I know what I want." He said evenly "And it's you – only you Abigail – but this past month…" He shook his head "I've been feeling like you've been trying to choose between us, and I kinda feel like I'm losing…" He gave her a small crooked smile "I don't want to be the guy who's in the way, I don't want to be an obstacle for you. All I want, is for you to be happy." He said sincerely "And if that is not with me, I can take it. I can. I mean I'll be crushed, don't get me wrong – you know how much you mean to me, but I can't be the guy that weighed you down." He swallowed "Or made you feel guilty. If I'm with you, I need all of you and that has to be something you are willing to give, not something I have to pry from you."
"Kaidan." She tried again and he smiled, his dark eyes bright with emotion as he cleared his throat and gave a firm shake of his head.
"Don't answer right now." He said quietly. Then he sat forward, reaching to the small table that was cluttered with magazines and leaflets about medical care. He pulled two old files toward him, handing the top one to her "I also came to give you this." He said, his tone lightening as she took the file gently.
"What is it?" she asked and he cleared his throat, wiping his eyes absently.
"It's dossiers, personnel records and photographs." He said quietly "Of your father Abby. Your real father."
When she looked to him sharply he smiled "I ran a DNA trace and got lucky I guess, everything's in there that I could find."
She frowned "What's the other one?"
"Oh." He tucked it under his arm "This is for Hobbs. He asked a favour before we went to Ilos."
She nodded "He's awake." She said in a tiny voice and then closed her eyes "Oh. Yeah. You know that already."
"That's ok." He chuckled getting to his feet and she stood with him, awkward and confused as she hugged herself "I'll see you around Abigail." He said gently, and he rubbed a hand on her shoulder, leaning in ever so hesitantly and kissed her. "Let me know," He whispered "one way or the other."
Abigail closed her eyes, feeling him push past her as tears threatened to overcome her. When they opened again she was alone, her fingers trembling on the grip of the file in her hands.
How had it come to this? She raised her eyes, unseeing as she probed thoughts that had been held back for so long, how had she managed to fall so far into that grey unknown? Sinking back onto the seat she pressed her head into her hand, her chest ached painfully as though she had just had her heart ripped from her and she knew she should go back in there and speak to them both – but how could she even begin to explain that she was in love with two men? How could she choose when she knew she didn't deserve either?
"Get down." His voice was playful, but the order was serious and she ducked, frowning at him as he gave her a wide smile.
"They have snipers." He said simply in explanation and Abigail nodded, pressing in closer to him.
"So you have a plan?" She asked and Hobbs moved his shoulder.
"I always have a plan Tempy." He nodded "Yep. Man with a plan."
She smiled "Care to share?"
"Is this a rhyming competition now?" He grinned and she shook her head at him tiredly. "Because I'll beat you at that too; just like I beat your score on every simulation, on every target practice –"
"I beat you on the paper." She added pointedly, shuffling sideways behind their cover as she gripped her rifle and peered around the edge of the wall they were behind. "And so you know you would never beat me at rhymes." She laughed "You're not fighting in the pits anymore Hobbs, you're Alliance, that uniform kinda makes you girlie."
She didn't see him until his hand flapped her leg and she laughed, yelping as she drew away from him playfully.
"You want to do this now Tempy?" He asked and the glint of challenge was in his eyes "In the middle of a simulation?"
She rolled her shoulder "You started it." And he chuckled, shaking his head and peering down the scope of his sniper rifle. She smiled, crawling closer to him, careful to keep her head low "We all have the ability, to speak with civility, so here is some advice – talk real nice, talk real nice. Don't act mean; keep it clean – yeah Hobbs, you know what I mean."
Slowly he turned back from the scope to look at her, that same grin on his face as he shook his head "Weak." He said "They're heading in the other direction." He told her.
"Let someone else get the flag." She purred, leaning into him and kissing him sweetly.
"You are never going to get promoted with that attitude." He muttered and she moved her shoulders.
"I didn't join the Alliance to get promoted." She grinned wickedly "I just like looking good in the uniform."
He smiled, moving toward her as he snaked an arm under her armour, pulling her under him as he kissed her deeply "That you do." He breathed and she laughed.
"Is that you admitting defeat?" She asked, and he clicked his tongue, smiling.
"Have you ever loved someone so much you'd give an arm for? Not the expression, no, literally an arm for? When they know they're your heart and you know you're their armour and you will destroy anyone who would try to harm her?" He shook his head "Yeah. That's all I got."
She looked at him seriously and then the façade fell as they both leaned into each other laughing and kissing.
Just as quick the mood was broken as Hobbs raised his head from hers, his eyes narrowing and she knew that look without even having to hear him say it. He glanced down at her, sliding from her body as he moved back to his sniper rifle but instead of peering down the scope he rolled onto his back, pulling his pistol free as he rolled again, back to his front and peered around the edge of the wall.
Abigail was moving with him, her rifle ready as she pressed her back to the wall waiting for the signal. He took a breath – and as she watched it felt like the intake of oxygen filled her lungs too – like they were one being, fluid and precise. It was why they were top of the Alliance training cadets.
Slowly he nodded and she bucked forward getting to her feet. As soon as she did she heard bodies move, turning just in time to see a dozen cadets come rushing from hiding all aiming at her – the sound of the shot-sensors suddenly rang out and one of them cried out surprised as he was taken out of the simulation, then another and another – still no one had managed to fire a shot.
Shouldering the rifle she finished off the remaining one, the cacophony of the shot-sensors making her grind her teeth as she dropped the fake rifle to the ground. Hobbs got to his feet, squinting as he looked at the annoyed cadets carefully before he turned to her with a wild grin.
"I count that as my five to your one." He shook his head "You have to get better at aiming Tempy."
"Shepard." The voice startled her and she flinched, turning to see Captain Anderson standing over her.
"Sir." She said, getting quickly to her feet and snapping a salute but he was already shaking his head.
"Relax, I'm not here in a formal capacity kiddo. Just came to see how you are."
She nodded, dropping her arm and managed a smile "I'm fine," She said evenly "Hobbs is awake."
For a moment he looked pained and she was reminded how much he disliked the man on a personal level, but she knew Paps better than that, she knew he was grateful for Hobbs' help.
"I saw Alenko come in." He said, and Abigail nodded absently "You were planning on declaring that right?"
She smiled "I… I don't know about that." She said honestly and he smiled.
"Always thought that boy was gay." He chewed "Peculiar. Still, better than you fighting like cat and dog I suppose."
Shepard frowned "What are you talking about?" She asked confused "I've never fought with Alenko – you mean on Arcturus before we boarded the Normandy? That wasn't a fight-"
"You don't remember him from Blue Horizon?" Anderson asked genuinely surprised "He was the senior you used to beat the snot out of on a regular basis Abby. The one that stopped you getting court martialled for killing another cadet in the cafeteria – that was the day we met remember?"
Abigail shook her head "I… I didn't know." She mumbled and Anderson smiled, inclining his head.
"Figured. I wondered why you didn't kick up a song and dance when you saw his name on the roster."
"I never knew his name." Abigail said, remembering the boy Anderson spoke of, the lanky senior that seemed to have turned up whenever she was in trouble. She grimaced. "That's embarrassing." She added.
"I just stopped by to pay my thanks." Anderson said "And to let you know Udina wants to speak with you; you're back on duty tomorrow."
"I know." She said tiredly "I'll speak to him soon. I just want to speak with Hobbs and then I'm heading away…" She let the sentence die off not wanting to let on the emotional turmoil she felt. "I'll speak to him." She said firmly.
"Make sure you do." Anderson nodded "We'll get time next time you have more shore leave." He added, patting her shoulder heavily. She smiled and he pulled her into a tight embrace, giving her an affectionate peck on her hair before he left.
Hobbs was exhausted, sinking back into the pillow he smiled, laughing at nothing and then when Foster looked at him he frowned, clearing his throat.
"I think the pain medication is kicking in again." He slurred with a grin.
"You want me to go get that nurse?" Foster asked raising his eyebrows "She could maybe kiss you back to sense."
Hobbs shook his head, wincing as he turned onto his side, pushing an arm under his head "I've had enough excitement for one day." He mumbled and Foster laughed, sitting on the stool next to his bed.
"What is this?" Foster asked thumbing through the file Kaidan had left.
"Put it down." Hobbs said, stretching the last word as he stifled a yawn "It's. Classified." He snorted, pressing his face into the pillow as the door opened. The same nurse from earlier approached his bed, her eyes downcast, her face already a hot shade of pink as she paused hesitating beside him.
"Back for round two?" Hobbs asked her and she flushed crimson and then he snickered, rubbing his eyes as he rolled onto his back again "Is this… this medication is… it's beautiful." He grinned as Genevieve took his pulse.
"You're an idiot Socks." Foster muttered, his nose buried in the file.
Without a word Genevieve moved to his chart, marking details before she smiled to Foster and left quickly. This time when the door opened Shepard came in, looping strands of her dark hair behind her ears as she came up behind Foster, peering at the file he was reading.
"Where did you get that?" She asked, the tone of her voice making Foster turn to look at her. He shrugged.
"Stink -I mean.. Alenko left it for Hobbs." He said weakly.
"Hobbs, why do you have a file on Lieutenant Cooper?" She asked hotly and in the bed Hobbs moved a shoulder lazily.
"That's the marine that pulled you off Mindoir right?" He asked, his expression playing hard at seriousness as he tried to focus on her face.
"Yes." She bit off, moving to his bedside.
"It says he's MIA." Hobbs said carefully "Not KIA. I thought it was about time someone found him. Brought him home." He pointed a finger, probably supposed to be at her but it ended up pointing to the ceiling, falling to the window and at last he gave up and let his arm drop by his side.
"I need to talk to you." She said, "but not like this. When did the meds kick in?"
Hobbs shrugged again giving her a lazy smile "You're so beautiful."
She looked at him seriously "Stop it." And then turned to Foster "I have to speak to Udina."
"Udina?" Foster frowned "Why?"
Shepard smiled "Sorry Bambi – Commander stuff." And then she turned back to Hobbs "How are you feeling?"
He smiled "You know," He said his voice dropping to serious "It's been a long time since I've had a tube in my penis." He nodded solemnly and she blinked at him, looking to Foster for help.
"Yeah, that's nasty." Foster said with a smile "You've had a tube up there before?"
"Yes." Hobbs nodded, his head lolling back onto the pillow as he closed his eyes "When she shot me in the arse."
"Hobbs!" Abby cried.
"What?!" He squeaked and Foster laughed, so hard in fact he bucked forward in the chair holding his ribs. "Shut up Beer." Hobbs muttered, his eyes fluttering closed "You're just jealous because I don't have to move to pee."
"Ok." Shepard said holding her hands up "I. Am. Out." She turned to Foster "Let him know I'll be back to see him before we head out – wherever they are sending us." She paused turning to look at him as he slept on peacefully "Tell him…" She sighed "Tell him I'm thinking about him. And I'll see you aboard the Normandy tomorrow morning."
"Remember and keep that end of the gun pointed away from me." Hobbs smiled as he loaded his rifle, Shepard gave him a withering glare but he was right – live ammunition simulations were not in the same ball-game as the others.
"Are you implying I'm stupid?" she asked, giving the rifle she held a once over.
"Would I?" He grinned, stepping in to her and kissing her gently.
"Spew." Crow groaned beside them, readying his own rifle "Why did you even join the Alliance? Porn is big money on the extranet you know." He smiled wickedly, dark eyes twinkling and Hobbs made a noise, popping gum in his mouth as he flapped the smaller man around the head.
"You would know." He smiled, his mouth in motion as he turned to look for the squad leader. Shepard saw the impatience on his face, knew how badly he wanted Squad Leader and she ached a little for him. He deserved a break, he deserved recognition, he was damned good at this but the Alliance hated his track record of fighting and kept glancing over him. It wasn't fair.
At last Officer Prately appeared, tucking a helmet on as he came toward them with heavy strides.
"Ok." He said, his voice rough and annoyed already "We're going into the compound, they've set up target drones – shoot only the drones. This is a live fire simulation so the regs are serious for fraternising." He looked pointedly to Hobbs who only grinned chewing his gum and then jammed his helmet over his head "And fooling around. Game faces on people."
With that he signalled them to go and the three soldiers began to fan out. Shepard moved with Hobbs, they had trained together so often now it was habit and they had become a good team – unbeatable.
As they rounded the corner into the empty compound he put up a hand and she paused, watching him as his eyes swept over everything. Then he glanced back to her, frowning through the visor of his helmet.
"How many times Tempy, put your helmet on." His voice was exasperated through the speaker of his helmet and she flinched, grabbing for the catch on her armour that allowed her helmet to hang down her back.
He shook his head as she turned, twisted, trying to catch it and then at last he sighed turning back to her. Sullenly she turned around as he lifted the helmet for her, sliding it over her long hair.
"They are there for a reason." He said. She watched his eyes through the visor wishing she could kiss him when movement behind him caught her attention. He must have seen the change in her eyes because he turned caught off guard and ducked for cover just as the first electric pulse shot from the floating practice drone, barely missing him.
Shepard cried out, slamming the safety off her rifle and firing, but it didn't work – shaking the rifle angrily she checked the side again, checked the barrel and then realised with admonishment she hadn't hit the right catch. Just as she slammed the safety off and raised her rifle the drone fired at her, the electric pulse shooting through her suit and taking her knees from under her.
She heard Hobbs shout her name and wrenched the gun round aiming for the drone as she squeezed the trigger. At first she thought she had been shot, the punch in her shoulder so severe she cried out, her finger clamping over the trigger as she shuddered and fought against the rifle as it jerked and waved in her arm firing rounds blindly.
Finally she got it under control, dropping the gun angrily as she got to her feet. She yanked the helmet from her head, the cool air clearing her thoughts as she took deep breaths genuinely spooked by the experience.
"You alright?" It was Prately, he was rushing to her side with his helmet tucked into the crook of his arm.
"Yeah." She grumbled "I just… I think I need a smaller gun."
"I'd say." Hobbs groaned, coming to her side "Permission to go to medical sir." He asked, his voice stiff as he sucked in a painful breath.
"Corporal… have you wet your pants?" Prately asked and Hobbs glanced down at his legs.
"Ah." He nodded "Yes. Probably."
Prately blinked at him "Go and get changed." He said curling his lip as he turned to head toward Crow.
Shepard frowned looking at the wet patch on his combats "Did I scare you?" she smiled and he shook his head, his expression unreadable as he limped back a step.
"You shot me." He said stiffly.
"I what?" She asked.
"You shot me." He said again and she shook her head.
"I did?" She moved to him "Where?"
He shook his head "In the bum Shepard." He moaned.
Stifling a laugh she moved round behind him and sure enough the back of his combats were soaked with blood, the entry of the bullet on his left cheek "Oh." She said and pressed a hand over her mouth "I told you not to put a helmet on me." She complained "I can't think right when I have one on." She waited a beat and then added "At least you have an excuse for peeing yourself lieutenant, that's a natural reaction."
He smiled, limping another step back "Have your fun now Tempy." He nodded "But you're going to regret this later." He warned her and she laughed, looping his arm over her shoulder as they headed back out toward the facility.
It was later that night, after surgery to remove the bullet and heal the wound when he found her again. She was sitting at the busy mess hall surrounded as always by marines trying to chat her up – and normally that would irk him, but Hobbs knew she was his girl.
He strode into the mess and as the first giggles erupted around him he threw his arms wide coaxing them on. Doing a small circle as the laughter of the other cadets grew. He pointed a finger to Shepard.
"I told you, you would regret it later." He said to her and she smiled at him from where she sat.
"Oh yeah?" she called, leaning back in her seat "What you got?"
He smiled, turning so his back was to her and lifted his shirt. There were a few cat-calls and whistles but he ignored them, unlooping his belt and dropping his trousers and boxers proudly to a raucous applause and rabble. He threw his arms out glancing over his shoulder at her with a wide, playful smile and rejoiced as he saw her turn a fresh and bright crimson.
"That's right." He nodded sincerely "I had your name put under the scar baby."
Foster lay on the visitor bed next to his brother's hospital one, eyes closed, chest rising and falling slowly. One hand dangled over the bed and he made fitful sounds as he slept. The door slid open and Liara cautiously entered the room, glancing to see if they were alone. Her big blue eyes were sorrowful as she gazed at Operative Hobbins' bruised face, lying in a bed next to his younger brother.
She crossed to Foster and took the hand, holding it in hers. It was cold and she tried to instill some warmth. Those blue, blue eyes opened and he said something she didn't understand. "What? What did you say?"
His mouth curved in an impish smile. "I said 'I need CPR."
"I…do not understand." She tried to relinquish his hand, but he intertwined his fingers with hers.
"Mouth to mouth," he whispered, lowering his voice so that it rumbled in the region of her belly. "It's something every doctor needs to know."
"Oh! I should call the nurse!"
"You could or you could do it."
"I…do not know how."
He sat up, the sheet sliding to his lap, revealing an expanse of tan, smooth chest. He took her other hand and drew her closer. "Let me demonstrate. You might have to do it when you're on a mission." He transferred one hand to the back of her neck, fingers stroking her crests.
Liara moaned, which obligingly opened her mouth for him and he pressed his lips to hers and his tongue gently probed the soft tissue near her tongue. "Oh!"
Hesitantly, her arms went around his neck and he pulled her up onto his lap. He cradled her in his arms while he caressed and kissed her until the light blue of her skin flushed darker blue and he saw her biotics appear in white swirls, seeming to come from her pores, flooding her skin with light.
Foster felt the tingle and he shuddered.
Liara broke the kiss and stared at her glowing skin. "You must let me go, Foster. I might hurt you."
"You won't," he assured her, shushing her, stroking her to the very tips of her crests. "All I could think about when I was down there fighting the geth was you."
"I as well. I mean, you were on my mind." She sounded flustered and he found it delightful. "So, this is CPR?"
Foster nodded a naughty gleam in his eyes.
"If I was on a mission with Shepard I would be required to do this to save her life?"
He shook his head. "It only works on blond, blue-eyed pilots."
She looked puzzled a moment and then she smiled. "Oh, you!" She gave his chest a playful shove and then wished she hadn't because her fingers touched the warm, brown skin. She splayed her fingers over his heart, one involuntarily brushing his nipple. "Oh! I am sorry!"
His eyes incinerated her. "I'm not. I've wanted you to touch me since we first met."
Liara glanced behind her at Hobbs who was still asleep thank the goddess. "But, if we are to do what I think you wish to do, we cannot do it here."
He gently sat her down and slid off the bed, clad only in Navy issue pants. "You want to?" he asked softly.
She caressed his cheek, marveling at the feel of the stubble. "I believe I do."
"Your cabin?" He held her hands up so he could kiss each finger.
Liara's eyes were getting bigger by the minute. "I, aboard the ship? Yes!"
"It's a date." He gave her a kiss that caused her to cling to him long after it was over. "Socks should be awake from all the sedation they've given him."
"I admire the loyalty you show your brother. You were apart such a long time."
He shrugged and dropped a kiss on each crest, causing Liara to shiver. "You…seem to know just where to touch," she said in a voice that showed he was awakening her to a new world to be explored.
Foster patted her behind gently right before she left the room. "More CPR?" she asked.
He grinned as she patted his tight butt cheeks.
"Am I doing it right?"
He walked her to the door and watched her as she walked, knowing she was feeling dazed and confused and turned on as hell.
He whistled a jaunty tune as he turned back to the room and saw a pair of turquoise eyes staring at him with hostile intentions. "Beer, how many times do I have to tell you I hate fucking asari?!"
Foster chuckled. "Then…"
Hobbs laughed. "Yeah, yeah, I know, then don't fuck 'em."