CHAPTER 31
Balint was the first person Rosemary saw when she flashed her identification at Bridgeton's gates. Seeing no one else, she ran, leaping over debris and the groaning body of a Divide gangster to get to him.
Overwhelmed with relief, she wrapped her arms around him when she reached him and tearfully pressed her lips to his mouth. Reacting instinctively, the turian returned her embrace and kiss with mounting passion.
Someone coughed.
She pulled away from Balint to see Tross, standing less than five feet away from them. She mentally shrugged. She was too relieved to see Balint alive to care about being embarrassed. She returned her attention to Balint and examined him, her brow furrowed with worry. His armor was dented in several places; several pieces were blacked and still hot to the touch – but other than that, he seemed... fine.
"You're fine," she murmured, happily surprised. "Thank God."
"I could have told you that," he said, amused by her fretting.
Rosemary looked around. She knew Kasumi was around... being invisible, but four other people were around: Tross, Vega, Joker, and EDI. She blinked. How had she missed them?
Vega and Joker were grinning at the very public show of affection Balint and Rosemary had just treated them to – while EDI was cocking her head at them. She looked like she was... studying them. "You two have plainly entered into a sexual relationship," she stated matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, you can't get any plainer than that," Joker snickered in agreement.
"But where does that leave Garrus?"
Everyone stilled as the atmosphere suddenly became – there was no other word for it – awkward. Rosemary tried not to grimace. Had EDI had to say that out loud... in front of everybody?
Then Garrus was there too, an amused glint in his eyes. Where had he come from? He answered everyone's unspoken question by reporting, "The immediate perimeter's clear – and as of five minutes ago, the same goes for the entire level. The only Divide left are dead or dying. And as to your question, EDI: It leaves me abandoned, and very, very sad about it."
Balint snorted. Fighting a smile, Rosemary shook her head and quickly changed the subject. She looked around at all of them. "So what's the damage?"
"The embassies took the brunt of the attack. The stragglers never made it past the inner barrier. Less than five made it past the first layer," Balint told her.
"Explain the damage, then," Garrus drawled. "You look like you stepped on a grenade – getting rusty in your advanced age, Balint?"
"We're two years apart, Garrus," Balint snapped.
"Clearly, experience isn't everything."
Shaking his head, Balint ignored Garrus' baiting and explained, "I went to help at the quarian embassy site. Quarians aren't exactly ideal for the front line – not yet anyway."
Rosemary nodded her agreement. Though, once quarians were able to get around without their masks, without such a huge fear of infection – things might change.
Vega cleared his throat. "Right – well, we should get back to work."
"But we just got here," EDI said, puzzled by Vega's statement. "Based on my extranet research, reunions on average require the participation of all parties for at least an hour and a half – before naturally dissolving."
Joker tried to pull the android away. "Come on, EDI," he muttered, turning red. Everyone else was walking away.
"What are you doing, Joker?"
Joker gestured for EDI to come close. She did. He whispered, but Rosemary didn't think he realized how well his voice carried to them. "Look, EDI, Rosemary's two lovers are meeting for the first time in a long time – They need to feel... and talk things out. Get things straight."
Oh, God... Rosemary wanted to cover her face with embarrassment. Balint and Garrus shook their heads, bemused.
EDI wasn't convinced. "What is your source," she demanded.
"Experience and soap operas," Joker said half-seriously.
Rosemary groaned as Joker finally managed to get EDI away. No, no... Rosemary didn't like drama. Especially not drama that involved her... and talking. She hated talking about feelings. Maybe Haka was right. Maybe she was too much like a guy in that aspect.
She looked at the two turians – who had been staring at each other for a few long minutes. Posturing. Each trying in vain to intimidate the other by sheer... what could Rosemary call it? Macho-ness? While Garrus had an inch or two on Balint height-wise, Balint had the squarer jaw, and the slightly more muscular build. … Ah, hell. Who was she kidding? Who were they kidding? Joker was right; they needed this to be over with. Settled. "Okay, are you guys good?"
Garrus' mandibles flared – contemplatively. "I only have one thing to say," he stated calmly. "... I was first."
Oh, stale coffee! Seriously?! "Garrus!"
Balint didn't so much as snarl. In an equally calm, cocky tone, he countered, ", but I was better."
This was ridiculous! "Oh, for Reapers' sake!" Cross, she threatened, "If you don't stop this dick-measuring, I swear I'll chop them right off!"
Both turians winced. Rosemary sighed. That had been... harsh of her to say. In a gentler tone, she amended, "Look, you're both very attractive turians..."
"It's the scars," Garrus said with satisfaction.
Balint snorted again.
"It's the krogan in her, you see."
Balint grinned. Rosemary suppressed a chuckle. Trying to be serious, she continued, "I'm attracted to both of you, but Balint makes me feel..." How could she say it out loud? That Balint was the one who made her heart flutter? Garrus made her want to be there for him, but... "I respect you, Garrus, as a friend more..." She loved him, but mostly as... a friend. Yes, a sexy friend – but she respected the simple fact that his heart would always belong to Emma Shepard. And... she was okay with that.
Garrus' smile was gentle, and not the least bit sad. Somehow, he looked... happy for her? Or was she just imagining it? "I get it, Rose," he assured her. Then the glint was back. "I won't lie; I'm disappointed. The sex was great. Amazing, actually."
Balint growled, suddenly looking feral. "Watch it, Garrus."
Garrus ignored that. "But you're his, now. And you two are my friends. I won't do that to either of you."
Balint visibly relaxed.
Then Garrus continued, "I won't say no to a threesome, though."
Rosemary rolled her eyes. And Garrus had been doing so well, too! Balint grimaced. "I would. I do not want to see you naked."
Garrus shrugged, unoffended. "Yeah, you're not my type, either."
Rosemary giggled, unable to help herself. With that, the tension dissipated. Rosemary, Garrus, and Balint walked back out of Bridgeton to wait for a skycar. When one finally arrived, they piled into it. Rosemary and Balint sat together, while Garrus sat across from them.
On the way home, Balint noticed the telling flush on Rosemary's cheeks. "Do I want to know what you're thinking about?"
"No."
Balint nodded and looked out the window. "Got it."
Rosemary would never tell him that she was thinking naughty thoughts... of having a threesome with Garrus. It would only be in her fantasies, though... In reality, she knew she couldn't handle two turian studs at the same time. She'd have a heart attack. But, oh... what a way to go, she thought, grinning raunchily to herself. Or so she thought.
"I bet I know what you're thinking off," Kasumi whispered in her ear, making her jump. ", and I'd do it. They can wear blindfolds if they want. … Ooh, that'd make it even kinkier," she teased.
Garrus and Balint had heard her, too. Balint glanced the question at his old partner. "The Normandy's resident pervert. Practically lives in stealth mode," Garrus explained.
"Nothing wrong with that," Kasumi defended herself. "Everyone needs a hobby."
XOXOXOXO
The next day, Vega decided that everyone would meet at Wakey Brews – of all places.
Rosemary didn't have much time. She had to get to C-Sec. She was multi-tasking, preparing everyone's drinks and getting ready for her first job. EDI had been kind enough to message everyone's orders before their arrival. Rosemary was working alone, waiting for Imitha to show up, but she was managing. "Why here, Vega?"
The muscular human had been grinning at her mother's plaque behind the counter. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"Why did you want everyone to meet here?"
James Vega shrugged. "Hey, you promised free coffee – and honestly? I've been on the Normandy too long. I want somewhere I can relax, you know?"
She had just been about to start his order. Touched, she switched out the medium cup for a large.
Haka had showed up earlier, and had put together a few tables in the back for them all to sit at. It was going to be a large group. "Who's coming, again?"
Vega counted off the people on his hands. "Kasumi, Samara, Liara, EDI, CARD, Garrus, Joker, Jacob, me, and Doctor Chakwas."
She knew that name. Wasn't she the Normandy's original doctor? "Chakwas?"
Vega waved the question off. "I'll explain later."
"Okay...?"
"That's a lot of Normandy Crew," Rosemary muttered, thinking. "Can my brother and Keeya come over too?"
Vega shrugged. "I don't see why not."
EDI and Joker had just walked through the doors. EDI looked at Rosemary, again looking puzzled. "Does he require more pigment and dye-based dedications."
"She means autographs," Joker cut in.
Rosemary smiled. "Yeah, I think he's missing a few."
"None for yourself," Joker said, smiling.
Rosemary wrinkled her nose. "Nah... he idolizes you guys. I just... work with you guys on occasion."
Vega grabbed the fabric over his chest. Weird, he can do that, Rosemary thought randomly. Vega's shirts were always ridiculously tight. "Ow – my ego's bleeding, man."
Rosemary rolled her eyes. "Silly."
