Title: Ilos Epilogue
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**
Epilogue
The facility was silent as she padded down the corridor the bottom of her red sweater brushing her thighs as she paused outside the door, cracking it open a slither.
"Stop sneaking around Tempy." His voice sounded in the black and she smiled, opening the door enough so she could slip inside and closed it quietly once more.
She put her hands out in front of her, knowing the desk and chair weren't too far in front of her. Just as her fingers grazed the wooden back of the chair her foot cracked into the leg and she hissed, stumbling as she flailed in the dark, hopping on one foot and then felt a hot, heavy hand catch her forearm.
She could hear him chuckling, disoriented in the dark as the fingers on her arm slid to her elbow, drawing her forward and down. Her shin touched metal and she heard him yelp as a flush of static raced over her skin and into him – the blue flash momentarily lighting the dorm room.
"Will you two keep it down." Crow moaned from the top bunk "Some of us are trying to sleep."
She smiled, sinking onto the mattress beside Hobbs as he wrapped her in the blanket with him and she pressed her head to his chest.
"Is that where my sweater went." He muttered, his hand at her waist rolling the woollen fabric between his fingers. She grinned, raising her face, her nose brushing his chin and she felt him move, lips pressing to hers gently.
"I got reassigned."She whispered against his mouth and she felt him draw back, her eyes were open but it was useless, there was only blackness and so she couldn't discern his reaction from expression, but she could feel it through his skin as his hand cupped around her shoulder, pressing her against him tightly.
"Why?" He asked quietly and she shook her head.
"They just said I would be more suited in biotic combat." She said "And gave me a pistol." She added with a smile.
"Hmm." He made the noise low in his throat "I also got reassigned." He whispered "Or, well, I got offered a job." He explained.
She raised her eyebrows, moving her head so it was on his shoulder, next to his ear "A job?"She asked.
"A good job." He said firmly "Yeah, you remember when I was fighting in the ring?" He didn't wait for her answer "Well I did odd jobs every now and then too for… this guy. He wants to give me a full time job. In the Alliance, well paid."
"Really?" She asked and he kissed her forehead gently "What did you say?"
He moved under her, his arm slipping from under her head as he leaned on his elbow. She couldn't see him but she could feel him over her, his face inches from hers was radiating heat and she held her breath.
"I don't know yet." He said gently and she could feel his lips whisper over her cheekbone "I wanted to talk to you first."
"Why?" She asked and his face pressed to the side of hers, the darkness making her heart race as she closed her eyes, unable to seek him out, unable to find intent in his eyes she took a deep breath.
"Because." He said quietly, lips pressing to her temple. "You are the most important thing to me." He whispered, his lips shivering down to her neck. "And I'm ready Tempy – for it all – for everything." His mouth curved against her skin and she could tell he was smiling; a kiss on her collarbone made her catch her breath "I…" He gave a small laugh, a kiss on the swell of her bosom at the neckline of the sweater. "I think I might be asking you to marry me." He said.
She opened her eyes, her heart freezing solid in her chest "What did you just say?" She asked.
He chuckled, his hands slipping under the sweater against bare skin as he coaxed her legs apart with one of his. She shuddered, slipping her arms around his neck as he moved over her, pressing into her and she moaned gently as his mouth covered hers swallowing it against his own.
The kiss was long and deep and sweet and she ran her fingers up the back of his neck into his hair, feeling him shiver against her. She opened her eyes and the blackness was broken by the white and blue swirl of biotics as it licked at his skin, giving her teasing glimpses of muscle undulating against her, of his mouth as it opened to capture hers once more.
"Marry me Tempy." He whispered into her mouth "Marry me."
She kissed him, forgetting all at once where they were as a moan escaped from her and then movement above them on the upper bunk reminded her and she smiled apologetically as Hobbs shushed her, his hand moving into her hair.
"For Christ sake!"Crow shouted, and the pair froze, Hobbs pressing his mouth over hers as he snickered quietly against her lips. "Will you two get a fucking room!" The sound of him landing heavily on the floor made her flinch and then there was a shift in the light as he opened the door and slammed it closed as he left.
"At last." Hobbs muttered "Took him long enough." He grinned, the feel of his lips curving against her cheek making her smile along with him "Are you ready to start screaming Shepard?"
Hobbs picked up the red sweater from the hospital bed, pressing it to his face briefly before he yanked it over his head easily. Turning he grabbed the file on Corporal Cooper and his toothpick slipping it into his mouth as he slung the duffel over his shoulder. Just as he turned the door opened and Foster came in, dressed in Alliance blues and Hobbs paused, momentarily stunned by how smart he looked – and how proud he felt of him.
"Beer." He said and Foster smiled, splaying his hands wide.
Foster grinned. "That's Corporal Beer." He preened in his new uniform, turning for Hobbs' inspection. "What do you think?" He asked, and Hobbs nodded. "I'm back in the blues." His smile faded a little though as he cleared his throat "I heard…I heard you're not coming."
"To fight geth?" Hobbs snorted "No. I…" He smiled. "I have some other stuff to take care of." He nodded slowly. "I'll see you again though, once this is done we'll catch up. Get some beers. Fill in lost time." He slapped a hand on his shoulder "I've got your back but I… I need you to do me a favour."
Foster nodded "Anything man, what's wrong?"
Hobbs sighed "I need you to… keep an eye on Shepard. Just…"He smiled "Just look after my girl ok?" He said at last.
Have you seen the new recruiting poster for the Alliance?"
Hobbs shook his head.
Foster ducked his head, smirking. "I thought that's why you want me to stand guard over her. Keep all the lieutenants away during your absence. I assure ya nobody's gonna steal your girl this time. If I have to sleep outside in the hall, pistol under my pillow, I swear, no other guy's getting near her." He spit into his hand and held it out and Hobbs spit in his and the two clasped hands.
Hobbs shook a wet finger at him. "I better not hear you were insubordinate or I will lay you out when I get back."
Foster shook his hands in mock terror. "Ooh, I'm so scared!" He threw his head back and laughed.
Hobbs put on his best, menacing big-brother look. "I mean it."
"She's here." Foster said waggling his eyebrows at him "She's signing you out under Spectre authority, giving you leave to go where you want –but I have a feeling she was hoping it would be back to the Normandy."
"Yeah?" Hobbs said with a smile "Well, we'll see." He pulled his brother into a tight hug, pressing a kiss to the side of his head. "You take care of yourself Beer." He said firmly. "You stay away from Blue." He drew back and Foster was chuckling "I am serious." Hobbs complained "She's about the only asari I actually like – she's far too good for you, and if I get back here and there are a dozen little blue Beer babies running around I-"
"You will end me." Foster nodded.
Hobbs smiled, slapping his face gently as he readjusted the duffel on his shoulder "I'll go speak to Tempy and then I am adios."
"Don't be a stranger." Foster said as he left the room and he didn't dare look back for fear he would get stuck. He never wanted to leave his brother, but he knew the Normandy was the best place for him, and Shepard would look out for him. He trusted her with that.
He spotted her instantly standing a little down the corridor, her arms folded as she read a flyer on the wall with a disconcerted frown. He approached lightly giving her his best smile as she turned.
"What are you looking at?" He asked and she pointed. He followed her gaze to an Alliance recruitment poster. She was plastered on the flyer, her dark wavy hair falling over bare shoulders, the Alliance dress blue jacket zipped open to the swell of her bosom.
"Whoah." He blinked, squinting and then looking closer "Commander Shepard." He breathed and she punched his arm playfully.
"Ow." He grinned turning to her "So, I'm off for a while."
She nodded "So I heard."
"How's Kaidan?"
She hesitated, frowning as she looked at him carefully "He's…good. We're on a sorta break for now." She nodded "But I've seen him, he's good."
Hobbs smiled "On a break till he sees those posters maybe."He joked. "Then he'll be chapping at your quarters again." She laughed and he felt his chest constrict with happiness at the sound. "I have to get going though." He said gently. "I'll write. If you want me to. I mean."
Shepard nodded "That would be nice." She said and then gave him a small smile "Take care of yourself Operative Hobbins."
He gave a breathless laugh, looking at his boots "Yeah." He nodded, closing his eyes briefly "Stay safe, Commander."