NOTES: WARNING! Lemon ahead!

LEMON

LEMON

ALIEN LEMON

CHAPTER 15

Was she angry or embarrassed? She couldn't tell. Maybe both? Rosemary buried her head in her arms, suppressing the urge to bang her head repeatedly against the table. Vega would be upset. The Normandy's card table on the crew deck was his baby; everyone knew that and never so much as placed a drink without a coaster on its hallowed surface.

Talking to the most powerful people in the galaxy like that... Had she ever talked to anyone like that? All angry-like...? She couldn't recall. Balint, maybe.

The door slid open. She turned her head slightly, keeping her head down, to see who it was. Garrus appeared, two mugs in hand. Curiosity had her raise her head fully. "Are those... coffee mugs?"

"Yeah. I thought I'd try my hand at it."

Touched, Rosemary accepted a mug. Warm steam teased her nose, smelling like coffee... and chocolate? Intrigued, she took a sip – and promptly choked.

Garrus had just sat down. He sighed and pushed away his own mug. "That bad?"

Rosemary tried to look appreciative. "It's, um... hot, and uh... grainy?"

Garrus frowned at her mug. "Really? I thought that stuff was supposed to dissolve."

Rosemary wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Uh... which coffee did you use?"

"Your own supply; the one you keep behind the chocolate syrups. I thought I saw you use chocolate syrup at one point." Garrus looked properly apologetic. "Did you taste the chocolate?"
"Um, yes." Not really. Then again, she could hardly taste anything in his... concoction. She looked down at it. It was thick, and grainy... like brown, wet quicksand. "Everyone uses instant here. My coffee... isn't."

"What's instant?"

"Anyway," she said, determined to change the topic. She could give a five-hour lecture on coffee, but she wasn't in the mood to give it. Also, she thought it would bore Garrus to tears. "Thanks. It was a sweet thought."

"I thought you needed it. You were pretty... blotchy by the time we got back to the ship."

Rosemary groaned. "I was... No, I'm still conflicted. I'm so embarrassed by erupting like that in front of the Council. They're pretty important people, you know?"

Garrus chuckled. "You could say that."

"But I'm not sorry. I was really angry at that salarian guy. Talking about the hybrids... like inconveniences. Like dirt. I... I think I wanted to punch him."

Garrus grinned at the shock in her voice. "You got mad. Violent thoughts aren't a crime. Just be glad my heroic self was there to make sure you didn't turn those thoughts into reality."

"Yeah, yeah..." Rosemary grumbled.

"You know, Emma tended to blow up in front of stupid people, too."

Rosemary looked at him. "Really?"

"Oh, yeah. There was this one time, she yelled at a bunch of Admirals from the Quarian Fleet. Just to save the reputation of Tali's father. You've heard of Tali, right?"

Rosemary smiled. "Have you met my brother? Or rather, his model of the Normandy and his set of action figures of its crew?"

Garrus' smiled. "It's part adorable, part embarrassing. You know he's asked for everyone's autograph, right? Adams in engineering keeps giving him cookies from his own stash; he was that flattered."

Rosemary chuckled. "Sounds like my brother."

Moments passed by in an amicable silence. Garrus broke it after a few minutes to say, "Thank you – for what you said about Emma. I mean, Shepard."

Rosemary nodded, and knowing how hard it was for him to talk about Shepard, remained silent.

Garrus looked across the room, to the window, and to the black expanse beyond. His soul sounded distant when he quietly said, "I will always love... only her. We made a promise – just before she died. That if we both didn't come back after the War... that we'd meet each other at the bar." The turian smiled at the memory. "And she said, that if she didn't make it back, that she would always be looking after me. That I would never be alone."

Rosemary wished she could have known Emma Shepard. Wished she could have seen Shepard and Garrus together – seen their love. She wished someone could love her like Garrus had loved his Emma.

Garrus looked away from the window. "Emma is part of me. She's in my heart, my soul... But there's always room in my heart for another friend." He was looking at her, with such a grave, but kind look in his blue eyes; Rosemary's heart skipped a beat.

She didn't know what came over her; she gently touched his arm and leaned forward to place a kiss on his plate-like mouth.

Garrus looked at her, an unreadable look in his eyes. Rosemary covered her mouth with her hand. What did I just do? "I... I'm sorry. I don't... know why I... I just... I'm not looking for..."

Garrus smiled his understanding. His gaze was warm. "I know. Neither am I."

Mortified, Rosemary tried to turn away. Garrus wouldn't let her. He held her chin gently, forcing her to keep his gaze. "But that's all right. Breathe, Rose."

Rosemary let her breath out, not realizing she'd been holding it. "Then what...?"

A mischievous look entered Garrus' expression. The blue of his eyes deepened, and his pupils constricted, becoming slits. He looked... predatory. "What's your question, Rose?"

She had to ask. "What are we about to do?" Said aloud, her question sounded very silly.

Garrus' grin was slow. Without another word, he pulled her close. Rosemary's breath hitched when he ran his tongue along her outer ear; it felt rough, warm, and oh, so sensual.

Rosemary shivered. Oh... my...

"Fascinating."

Rosemary and Garrus froze. Garrus closed his eyes, a growl vibrating low in his throat. Rosemary looked around the room. It couldn't be... "... CARD?"

A series of high-pitched beeps confirmed the AI's presence. This time, Rosemary closed her eyes. Garrus's voice was a little rough when he spoke with the young AI. "Go away, CARD."

"Please," Rosemary added.

"I have yet to witness mating exercises," CARD complained. "My maternal unit banned my access to the rooms where I would observe and document such exercises. She has said that it would be so even if I am upgraded to a humanoid vessel. I would have to wait until she grants me access to a post-pubescent vessel! That will take forever!"

CARD sounded like a bizarre, whiny cross between a sulky adolescent and a computer. "CARD..."

"I don't even have a proper casing yet! The one I'm getting will be small – like a humanoid toddler. The next one will be fashioned after a pre-adolescent, then pubescent, then post-pubescent, then adult prime!"

It seemed EDI was committed to having her 'child' undergo traditional human growth the best she could manage – for Joker's sake? It sounded expensive. She didn't want to think about that right now. Right now, all she was feeling was disappointment... and heat. She still wanted Garrus, despite the cold bucket of water CARD's appearance had been.

"Get out, CARD," Garrus said simply. "Please," he added as an afterthought. He sounded in control again.

Rosemary could hear CARD's disappointment through the telling hum of his processes. Garrus wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, and somehow CARD knew it. "Seal the room until I indicate otherwise. Please."

"What should I give for a reason behind the door seal?" CARD still sounded sulky.

Garrus didn't hesitate. "Seal the bathroom next door, too. Regurgitative plumbing issues. Signs of leakage. Last noted visitor: Kenneth Donnelly. Possible explosive reaction to Commander James Vega's mystery-meat attempt at chorizo."

Rosemary snickered. "Oh, come on. That's mean."

CARD seemed to like Garrus' idea. He agreed to the turian's plan, but hesitated. "What if mother... my maternal unit... inquires about the seals?"

Garrus thought about it. "Tell her – and only her that I will be enjoying carnal relations with Rosemary Fletcher. Tell her that her discretion will be most appreciated."

Rosemary's face turned completely red. "G-Garrus!"

"Understood."

XOXOXOXO

Rosemary was thinking too much. Was this wrong? They liked each other, were attracted to each other... but she couldn't see herself falling in love with Garrus. Apparently, he didn't, either. And they were about to have sex. In the Normandy's lounge. On Vega's table. Her skin flushed at the heated thoughts flashing through her mind. She was about to have sex with a friend. That was okay, right? She wasn't sure; it had been a long time since she'd been sexually active.

She was so lost in her own thoughts and reservations, that Garrus scared the life out of her when he picked her up and set her on his lap. Oh, my sweet coffee gods!

Garrus didn't give her time to think another thought. Her back was at on the edge of the table when he took her chin and brought her lips to his mouth. Her lips parted as his tongue, long and thick, pushed its way into her mouth. Shyly, she kissed him back, her tongue finding its way into his mouth. Her hands caressed his shoulders on their own, exploring. Through his clothes, she could tell that his shoulders were broad, and strong. His arms were lean and muscular, and his hands were... uncovered. Startled, she stared at his hands. Each hand had two, long and thick talon-tipped fingers and a taloned thumb. When did he...?

She felt his hand on her skin, inside her blouse. He was only touching her lightly with his talons, but the danger... just turned her on even more. She yelped when his hand made a sudden movement, slicing through her bra. "Wait, no...!" How was she going to get back to the cabin?

All practical thoughts left her mind as he cupped her breasts, talons lightly scraping her nipples. She moaned. It had been so long... and her breasts had always been very sensitive. He wasn't rough with her breasts, as her one former lover had been – but nor was his touch too gentle. The pressure was agonizing in its perfection.

Hearing her moan made Garrus growl with desire. He nibbled on her neck, making her tremble. So much control. His teeth didn't pierce her skin – not once! The turian certainly knew his way around a female human's body – that much was sure.

Still, Rosemary yelped with outrage when Garrus' hand moved again, ripping her pants with a single talon. He had just destroyed one of her fancy pants! His movement hadn't been perfect, either. His talon had grazed her thigh, leaving a thin, shallow cut.

"Shh," Garrus soothed. He slid his hand along her leg, distracting her from the annoyance and pain. His hand slid further up... The thin black lace of her panties was all that separated one of his talons from her sex.

Rosemary panicked. "Oh, no no no no!"

Garrus grinned. "No," he agreed. "I'm not a savage."

He moved the bit of lace aside and teased her slit with a talon.

Rosemary trusted Garrus, but now he was just being mean. "You are evil," she accused him.

He lowered his head.

"Oh...!" She could hardly breathe as he held her clit with his teeth, skillfully applying just enough pressure as to not hurt her – and rubbed his tongue over its end. His tongue was long, slightly rough, and slow, finding and torturously teasing her sensitive spots. She squirmed and was getting closer and closer to an orgasm – when he stopped. She moaned a protest. "Oh... no..."

Garrus stood and removed just enough clothing to expose his lower body. The sight of him still mostly clothed was strangely, and highly arousing. Then she realized – something was missing. Her eyes widened when his arousal emerged from an opening in his pelvic area. Her mouth went dry. It was long, thick, and with deep ridges along the shaft. Oh... She licked her lips in anticipation. Garrus' eyes gleamed.

He turned her around and gently lowered her onto the card table. She placed her hands on the edge of it to hold herself up, her breasts pressed against the wood. He pressed a hand against her back. Reacting instinctively, Rosemary moaned in embarrassment and arousal, moving her legs apart, showing him all of her.

She felt his length against her. It was hot, and hard – it moved and probed until it found her entrance. He moved it back and forth along her wet lips, teasing her. She could have screamed from frustration. He pressed against her hole and pushed.

Her fingernails scraped the table – she could feel every delicious inch, every hard ridge... She groaned with pleasure as he slowly sunk it in all the way, filling her completely. The sound was the undoing of Garrus' control.

Rosemary screamed into her arm as he pounded her from behind, the ridges of his sex scraping against every pleasure spot in her core. The anchored table shook beneath her at the strength of Garrus' thrusts. Her first climax in years hit her hard and fast – she bit down on her arm, moving her hips back, squeezing him tight. He kept pumping as she climaxed, driving deep.

As she contractions came to a shuddering end, he pulled out, spun her around, and erupted over her belly and breasts. Rosemary couldn't stop trembling. Oh. My. God.

XOXOXOXO

She must have passed out. Rosemary awoke to discover herself clean, in a fresh set of clothes. She sniffed. The air even smelled fresh – smelling strongly of lemon. She was still in the lounge, and Garrus was standing by the window, gazing out onto the cosmos.

All his clothes were back on – neatly, too. Not a wrinkle in sight. She looked down at herself. She was laying on one of the couches, wearing one of her own blouses, and a skirt she rarely wore. When he saw she was awake, Garrus walked over to her with a tube of medi-gel. He started gently rubbing medi-gel on the scrape on her leg. Then a few other scrapes. She hadn't realized that when he'd gripped her hips, he'd dug in his talons a little bit. She noticed them now. They stung, but not too badly. "How did Shepard survive so much sex with a turian," Rosemary muttered.

"How did you know we had a lot of sex?"

Rosemary arched a brow. "Please. You know the female body all too well."

Garrus' grin was self-assured. "Thank you?"

Her face fell. Realization and guilt hit her all of a sudden, like a hammer to her conscience. "I'm sorry. Was this wrong? We were talking about Shepard, and then," she rambled.

Garrus stopped her. "If Emma were here, she'd be in this bed with us," he assured her.

"What bed?"

"Table. Sorry. Emma was surprisingly... open-minded. We even had one or two threesomes."

Rosemary's eyes grew as big as saucers. "One or two? With who? More than that one... time... with the turian? Come on, tell me," she begged.

The turian's eyes just gleamed with humor. "My lips are sealed."

"You don't have lips," Rosemary grouched.

"Don't be rude," he laughed.

Rosemary smoothed her skirt, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Um..." She had to ask. "How did you... My clothes, the air... how...?"

"EDI was very helpful in cleaning up the crime scene," Garrus grinned evilly.

Rosemary groaned. "Oh... no..."

XOXOXOXO

Rosemary avoided EDI like the plague for the next few days. As she did with CARD. And Vega. Would he notice the scratches? Yes, he would notice the scratches – and yes, she would deny her involvement until death.

A lot happened during that time. She got a message from Councilor Eastment that the townhouse was ready for her and her family, and that measures were being prepared to guard them too, at her new place of business. Wakey Brews would finally be able to open their doors.

Rosemary, Oliver, and Keeya would be returning to the Citadel in a week. When she wasn't working on filling forms for Oliver's school, finalizing forms on Wakey Brews, or getting a jump on the C-Sec officer notes Nuni scanned for her – Garrus and Rosemary defiled several more areas in the Normandy. In the starboard observation deck, the main battery, the shuttle bay, the port side cargo room...

They weren't in love. They were just really good friends, who took a lot of enjoyment in each other's bodies. Rosemary would miss Garrus fiercely – he was also her greatest confidant - but she had a feeling she'd be seeing him soon.