The only sound on the ship was the sound of boots and the gentle rattle of the weapons they carried. Jane paused kneeling down before a pedestal. Garrus crouched next to Jane watching her closely, she hadn't really spoken since they had left the Normandy; save for a random order here and there.
"Jane, don't you think," but she cut him off with a lifted hand and a shake of her head.
"Jane," the glare she turned on him then silenced him.
"No, not here Garrus, I need everyone's mind on the now, Thane, Dad. We need to find the IFF on this ship we need to know where the people on this ship were taken. These pods are the same ones we saw on Horizon."
Thane looked around him with a shake of his head. "Yes, thousands of pods, but no bodies, they must have taken them back to where ever they come from."
Jane nodded, "I know, that's why we need the IFF we need to follow them, we need to know what they are doing with all those people, and what it has to do with the Reapers."
"Well this ship must have the ability, but what about all of them," before Ganis could finish he ducked low next to the others.
"Movement, it seems this ship isn't as abandoned as we would have liked to believe Jane." Thane motioned to the platform before them.
"I don't care how many Collectors there are; I don't care what is in the way, get to that platform and get what we need damn it."
Her first shot took down a Collector advancing on their position. As it dropped Jane's blood froze in her veins.
"Jane, join us, become perfect."
Turning her head and looking over towards the platform, there was a Collector, but it seemed different from the others, besides the fact that it was speaking directly to her.
"Kill this body Jane, and countless others will take its place. Your form is imperfect, flawed; your time is at an end. Accept that you belong with us."
Jane sucked in a breath lined up her shot and fired, muttering under her breath, "fuck you. I belong right here."
The fight wore on, the voice had been right about one thing, it felt like for every one they killed six more showed up, it was an endless stream of Collectors being thrown at them, standing between them, the way out and more importantly, the IFF and one step closer to…
Jane's train of thought ground to a halt as she reloaded. One step closer to what, to more people not believing her, one step closer to giving herself back over to the very same people who wanted nothing more than to control her, another fucking step closer to admitting to herself that she was pregnant, and had no idea who the father was? She admitted to herself that it very well could be Kaidan's child, the thought made the sick feeling in her stomach grow, and it would have consumed her if not for the one hope that the Illusive man of all people had given her. He had said he knew she would chose a Turian, maybe there was a chance that, her thought was ended as quickly as it had began as a shot struck next to her head. She ducked and looked over towards her dad and Garrus.
The look on Garrus's face said he was concerned, her dad's face said he was downright worried, but Thane was the only person to voice either.
"Siha, you said everyone's mind should be on the here and now, I wonder if you haven't slipped into," he paused briefly. "Well, slipped into thoughts better left for another time, when we aren't fighting for our lives in the middle of a Collectors ship."
Jane gave a curt nod, right, what was the matter with her? She had never been one to worry about something she couldn't take care of right then. Ganis had always taught her, worry was like target practice, sure it gives you something to do, but it doesn't win the war.
She chuckled as she thought of how she used to think things couldn't get any worse, and how now, she would always remember, things could always be worse. With a soft snort she added, yeah, she could still be dating or fuck, married to Kaidan, and not remember anything, and have a crap shot.
Jane grinned over towards where her dad and Garrus were crouched, both of their faces froze in silent shock and she laughed as they shook their heads in unison, watching as she turned hopped over the wall and charged headlong into the growing mass of Collectors, she was tired of this shit, she was tired of everything standing in her way, most of all she was tired of still being used.
Close range combat with a sniper rifle was not something she liked to do but in her haze of anger she hadn't really thought it all the way through. Her biotics flared to life as she cleared out wave after wave of Collectors, she was only vaguely aware that the others were by her side. Always by her side, and the thought calmed her as they stood among the bodies.
Garrus spun to her, his hand on her upper arm, his eyes burning into hers, his voice was clipped with concern veiled in anger.
"What the hell was that Jane? Your actions," she laughed cutting Garrus off.
"Don't worry about action, just inaction."
Garrus's mandibles fluttered in confusion as she turned towards the pedestal. "What does that mean, Jane?"
"Nothing, just something Kaidan told me once, something from some human commander a long time ago. Just seemed to fit the situation, you know that my inaction was the problem," realizing she was rambling she closed her mouth tightly into a firm line and concentrated on the object in front of her; missing the anger that flashed over Garrus's normally stoic features, but she could feel the tension coming from him in waves.
Gritting her teeth Jane called for Joker.
"Joker, we've got the package, and we're ready to come home."
"Roger that Commander we'll be waiting." The connection went quiet but not dead and Jane tapped her foot waiting, when Joker still didn't speak Jane spoke between clenched teeth.
"Was there something else Flight Lieutenant?"
"There was a call, it was from the Alliance, I didn't authorize it, but someone else did."
Taking a deep breath Jane unclenched her jaw. "Who did?"
"I don't know Commander, but before you freak, I do know where the call went."
She waited but when he didn't offer the information she growled under her breath.
"I do not enjoy guessing games, as you know, tell me where that call went."
"Major Hackett's quarters."
"That will be all Flight Lieutenant."
Slamming her fist down Jane turned very slowly towards her group.
"Double-fucking-time it back to the shuttle," no one moved, just watching her quietly. "I'm sorry, did I stutter? I said move it, now!"
~~00o00~~
Jane dropped her gear as soon as she was on board the Normandy, tossed the IFF to her dad and Garrus.
"Make sure Joker gets that installed and get us under way, the sooner we figure out what the fucking collectors are doing with the humans, the sooner we can move on with this mess."
Ganis didn't correct her language; the green fire in her eyes was enough for him to keep his mouth shut. Garrus on the other hand was already ready to ask questions, questions Ganis knew Jane was in no mood to answer so he interrupted before he had the chance.
"Come on Garrus, let's get this taken care of, we could all use a hot meal."
He nodded catching his tone, and with on last glance towards Jane he turned and followed Ganis towards the helm.
Thane stood silently behind Jane, watching her as she finished stripping her armor off.
"Siha, think about what you're about to do."
"I'm not going to do anything Thane."
"I know you better than that Siha, what you did, back on the Collectors ship that was rash, even for you. You should not throw your life away so easily."
"I am not throwing my life away; I was made to do things like that, was I not?"
"Not even you are invulnerable, and in your condition you should really think about what you do a little more carefully."
"Do not tell me about my condition, you know nothing about it, and do not remind me of my death, I'm very aware of it; I'm also aware of the conditions of my return. I will not stop until everyone finally believes us, or I'm going to die trying."
"This is not just about you anymore Siha, you can be mad at me if you want."
Jane stalked forward, most people would have shrunk back from her when she was in this mood, but Thane held his ground.
"This has never just been about me, this is about so much more than me, and the addition of one life does not change that, it does not change the fact that I will give my life to see this fucking mess sorted out."
Thane reached out a hand and gently touched her shoulder and Jane almost crumpled.
"Don't you see Thane, this, if that's what this is, if I'm pregnant, I'm afraid it's just another way they're trying to control me."
"And what if it isn't Jane? What if it's just the will of your spirits that you would have Garrus's child?"
Shaking her head sadly, Jane sighed. "It wouldn't be possible if it wouldn't have been for them, they did this, they've always wanted to know if a child of mine would pass on my genetics, and now, now after everything after every fucking thing I have forgiven John for, I know he's taking calls from them. There are very few people I can trust in this Galaxy Thane, and I'm afraid it's just gone down by one."
"Don't do anything you'll regret Siha, he is your blood, remember that. Remember," Jane held up a hand and shook her head at him.
"Don't Thane, leave it alone, I'll take care of this my way."
He chuckled, letting Jane step out of his touch and turn towards the door.
"Just no air locks or escape pods, we may need him before the end."
Pausing at the door Jane let her head fall, her chin resting on her chest.
The end…
What would the end to this entire thing look like?
She closed her eyes, Garrus a child and their home on Randiv flashed before her eyes. That was the end she wanted, and the one she knew she could never have.
~~00o00~~
Jane didn't knock or even stop her stride as John's door opened and she walked in. Laying on his bed an arm thrown over his eyes, he didn't stir as Jane stood to his side. Thankfully Liara wasn't there; she would hate to yell at him in front of her.
Kicking the side of his bed with her toe she watched him jump up and move to take her down.
She smiled and took a step back from the bed.
"I dare you to try it; in fact at this point I welcome it."
"What?" He stopped and stared at her, seeing her for the first time, realizing who it was.
"Why did you do it John?" She could feel her resolve and anger fading as she stared into his eyes, her eyes.
"Why did I do what, Jane?"
"You know very well what I'm talking about, John. Why would you take a call from the Alliance, when I told everyone not to? Why would you do that to me, you know what we're trying to do here, what they've done to me, what they did to you. We need to be able to come to them on our terms."
"Jane, I didn't place the call, nor did I ask for it, someone just started talking, and it was him." She was almost shocked to hear him admit it so quickly.
"By him I assume you mean your father, what did he say?"
John stopped short, either way he was screwed. He could tell by the look in her eyes.
"He told me, that when and if you get the evidence they need, that if I was to turn you and the ship in, I would be forgiven." He watched her eyes close against his words, her teeth were clinched and her hand drifted over her stomach.
"Spirits John, what did you tell him?"
He was silent and he flinched when she shouted.
"What the fuck did you tell him John?"
"Nothing, Jane he didn't really give me time. You know how he is," stepping towards him she bent over lowering her face until it was even with his.
"No actually, John I don't. The only thing I know about him is that I don't trust him, and now I wonder if I can trust you, after everything, you should have told me John." He tried to speak but Jane continued on. "We have a mission to complete, and I don't want to hear, or see from you until it's over. If you turn me in at that point, well I guess it's not much different than what I was going to do, you just come out better for it, and I'm less one brother."
Without another word, she turned and left the room; leaving a very shocked John in her wake.
~~00o00~~
Garrus was in bed by the time she got to the room, she showered letting the hot water ease her body, but still she shivered when she stepped into their room, turning up the heat she slipped into bed next to Garrus's still body, curving her body around him she let his heat seep into her body. She could tell by the rigid hold of his body that he wasn't asleep. But he wasn't talking either, so she let the silence sit.
Her eyelids felt like weights and before she could think, she fell into a fitful sleep, filled with things and people from the past, people she would have rather left in the past, where they belong.
Jane sat up, she couldn't breathe, and it was like someone was sitting on her chest, she could feel wetness on her face, at first she thought she was sweating, running a hand over her eyes though, showed her she must have cried. Drying her face on the back of her hand, she felt eyes on her, and turned to see Garrus watching her, a strange emotion on his face, one she had never seen him turn on her, it wasn't really anger, but jealousy. She had known he felt it a time or two, but this look was so intense it caught her off guard.
"What is it; do I have something on my face? Was I drooling?" She tried to smile, but his face didn't change and it threw her off balance.
"Damn it Garrus, what?"
"I know you have nightmares Jane, sometimes you talk in them, but this was different. Maybe it only means more to me because of our, other issues but," he trailed off and Jane leaned towards him.
"You called for him Jane, you called for Kaidan. I've always known that the way things ended between you, may have left unresolved issues."
Jane turned and leaned her head into her hands, "Garrus, it has nothing to do with, the way things ended."
"You're worried about the baby. No, don't look at me like that, we all know you couldn't be sick for any other reason, I've wanted to talk to you about this, but, well we've been busy."
"It's not that I'm worried about the baby, it's the fact that, how could I do this to you? You're my mate and here I could be pregnant with another man's child, hell not just any man, Kaidan. Someone we both can't stand. What the hell am I supposed to do with that Garrus? I can't ask you to," Garrus turned Jane's face towards him, stopping the flow of words from her.
"Jane, I don't care about that, it doesn't matter to me, no matter what, it's our child, you're my mate, more than that, and I love you sweetheart. I love you so much that it just doesn't matter, we'll love it, and we'll raise it in a world that was saved for it, by you, by us. Our life will happen."
She nodded slightly, "There is a chance Garrus, that it is yours, that I was able to conceive your child. I just don't know yet, I need to have tests done, but there just isn't time. Soon, I promise, but there is a chance."
Garrus's mandibles spread in a smile as he leaned his head against hers. "Jane that would be amazing, but it doesn't matter, what does matter is what we're going to do, with this trip through the relay, and," he stopped staring into her eyes. "What we're going to do after."
She leaned back from him and searched his eyes, "you know what I have to do Garrus. I have to take what we find; I must turn in myself and the ship."
Garrus nodded, "I know that sweetheart, and I want to go with you." Jane shook her head before the words were even out of his mouth.
"You can't Garrus, you have to go home, and you need to get the Turian's to believe you as well."
"Jane, I promised myself I wouldn't leave you again, not like," he swallowed before continuing. "Not like before."
"We have no choice Garrus, this goes so far beyond any single person. Take my dad with you, I promise you, we'll see you again." Her hands ran over her flat stomach and she smiled for the first time, thinking about the child.
Garrus ran his talons through her hair, "Jane, I wish you wouldn't do this, they will charge you with treason, going AWOL."
Jane chuckled and laid her hand on top of his. "No, they will have much larger issues to deal with soon. I have to do this, it's the only way."
Garrus nodded knowing that she was right. He leaned in and nipped her gently on the shoulder.
"Remember, this is forever," he licked over the scar on her shoulder, as she ran her fingertips over the matching one on his.
"We, are forever, think of us, the baby our house on Randiv, you're dad spoiling him, just like he did you."
She laughed and leaned back on the bed as he hovered over her, nipping down her neck, down her breast and licked her nipple. "I'm not spoiled."
He laughed, ignoring her statement, "you know there is a very real chance none of us will make it back from this run through the Relay, and we need to leave someone back, someone who can tell everyone."
Jane nodded, "I know, but I'm not thinking about that just now. Make love to me Garrus, let's worry about that tomorrow."
He continued the nipping and licks down her body until he came to her stomach where he leaned against it and smiled sadly.
"I'm such a bad Turian, I've never been happier that my human-turian mate is going to have our human-turian child."
"But Garrus what if," he nuzzled against her and silenced her with a talon against her lips.
"If, then it's just like you. No different, it will be the best human-turian, and I'll try to be as good as Ganis was to you."
"I just hope there is something for all of us to go home to, when this is all over."
"Me too sweetheart, me too, now make love to me, make me that promise that I'll see you, not only after this suicide mission, but after the alliance, that you'll find me."
"Death didn't keep me from you Garrus, the Alliance sure as hell isn't going to."
He ran his hands over her body, memorizing every curve, every soft inch of flesh, as she ran her hands under his fringe, and they came together, once again sharing every part of themselves, becoming one, with every touch a promise that tonight, would not be their last.
~~00o00~~
"Admiral, I'm glad to see you still standing."
"I'm not in the mood for your quips. Is she or isn't she?"
"Yes, Jane is pregnant."
"Do you know whose it is?"
"We believe it is the Turian's child. Though without Jane letting us examine her we can't know for sure."
"That doesn't matter, either way, if you did your job right, we will know the answer to our question, and at the same time, she will find us the way to destroy the Reapers."
"I'm not so sure Admiral, you've lost control over her, she'll never help you the way you think she will, and she will keep things from you."
Admiral Hackett nodded, "that is why I plan on using someone else and the child to get the job done, she will be what we made her to be, the child is the control now, besides, she seems to have taken to Anderson, and she still trusts him. We'll make her work with us, when she comes back. And you know she will, she has no other choice, which is just how we like it, when people have no other choice, they make the choices they have to. Now, keep me updated on their missions, and Jane's health, Hackett out."
~~00o00~~
Sadly, my laptop was destroyed and this chapter was on it, I had to rewrite it and my other chapter for Raised Turian. It will be coming in a few days I hope, as well as the continuation of this chapter. It is almost done being re-written.
Cheers everyone and Happy New Year.
^.^