Location: Carte Blanche hotel—New Thebes, Capitol Colony of planet Anhur.
She had never fallen asleep on him in the past but nestling against the familiar contour of Mark's body made her want to do just that: drift off and never let him go again. They had such a good time through dinner that neither wanted to kill the moment by asking anything that would shatter the moment. But the problem was she had way too many questions and something told her he didn't want to fork over the answers. Mark seemed content in just holding her close and if she was honest with herself, she didn't mind one bit.
The plan was to run like hell and avoid all contact unless compromised. So if he was here...she didn't want to think about the others. Elena traced the faded burns on his chest, hoping an inspection of her handiwork would shut her brain up.
No such luck.
Mark's breathless chuckle met her ear when she grazed a rib. She stopped immediately and shot up to a sitting position on the bed. Her fingers hovered over the afflicted areas. "Shit. Does it still hurt?"
"It's a lot better than it was," Mark assured, reaching out to tug her down again. She resisted a whole two seconds before laying back down but keeping a small gap between them this time. "I'm alright, Elena. Looks like your biotic trick still works."
"You sound surprised," she teased, smiling into the crook of his neck.
Mark shifted unto his side and returned her smile when they were eye-to-eye again. Those bright blues always calmed her, promising her the ocean even on the shittiest of days. "Try relieved," he said in a low voice.
The rough stubble of his jaw tickled her fingers, intermingling with his puffs of breath. The relief went both ways. Just seeing the color return to his skin was enough...for now.
Everything they did was risky, but hiding this—them—from superiors was tough. It started with a few late nights that grew into something casual. They took turns ducking surveillance and were careful to vary the locations until she finally got her own place off-site. Like all new relationships, the physical was easy, but getting to know the person inside and out was huge, scary at times. Despite their intimacy, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of man Mark Kassel really was. Sure she already knew a lot about his family. Only child, both parents dead just like hers. But her curiosity was insatiable. Did he like rainy days? What about his favorite color or first love? It all seemed childish and yet it's these little sentimental facts that mattered to her.
But her fluffy questions would have to wait. This wasn't the time or the place for that it was time to figure shit out.
"Mark...," she said, hating herself because his look of pure bliss melted when she got serious. "What happened?"
Mark blinked slowly but didn't say a word. Those blue eyes did the talking and Elena felt her resolve fading fast. She wanted nothing more than to take that flicker of pain in his eyes away but she needed answers.
Mark rolled onto his back and breathed deeply. "I ran like you said. We all did."
Here it was, the moment to bear the bad news and take it. She was ready.
"But then what?" She prompted, nestling into the soft pillow that still held his scent.
He shot her a sideways smile. "I missed you too damn much, that's what."
Elena attempted to frown but lost out to a hopeless grin. This man had to stop sweet talking her or else she wouldn't be responsible for her actions, fresh wounds be dammed!
"Then why are you here and not on Earth?" Elena inquired, her eyes fluttering when he trailed a warm hand along her arm, stopping at the nape of her neck.
His fingers did wonderful things to the sensitive groove near her ear. "I thought we just went over that?"
All the tension she carried for the past six months suddenly evaporated, replaced by his soothing attention. The distance between them was closing fast. She didn't want to hurt him but the feel of his palm gently caressing her cheek pulled their lips closer.
"And you just...what? Asked the hotel staff if they booked an ex-Cerberus operative?" She breathed against him, dodging his attempt to silence her with a kiss. Mark's lips met her neck instead and before she could realize her tactical error his arms snaked over and pulled her close.
Elena shivered under the sensation of rough stubble lightly grazing her sensitive skin. He slid a hand under her shirt and slowly traced her spine, a breath hitched in her throat. Eyes fighting to stay open, she brought her hands up to tangle in his hair hoping to pull him back but the feeling of running her fingers through soft silky strands nearly pushed her over the edge.
"Would've saved me some time..." Mark mumbled against her skin, while his hand found the clasp of her bra. "God, I've missed you."
He drew back and caught her lips in a languid kiss, gentle but forceful enough to let his words sink in. "I missed you too," she whispered, between breaths as she tried to sit up. Mark attempted to rise with her, but grimaced against her lips.
Elena instantly drew back and eased him down again. This was definitely not a good idea, he was lucky that arm wasn't broken as she had initially thought, just sprained. Yet despite that she was having a hard time resisting his advances. They had so much to catch up on.
The apologetic look in his clear blue eyes broke her heart. "You know I could work past the pain."
"And you know that I'll kill you, if you try," Elena said with a wink before leaning in for a light kiss. Mark tried to keep her close but she dodged him again and settled her hand over his that cupped her breast beneath her shirt. "Spill it, Kassel. How did you find me?"
"I knocked on every door," he said with a devious smile as he knead her breast, "asking if anyone's seen a supermodel. And if she'd like company."
"Ha, ha," Elena replied sarcastically as she lowered his hand from the hypersensitive area and entwined their fingers. He had a silver tongue that could get her in bed on the shittiest of days. But they couldn't afford that luxury here, especially if he was being hunted. "Come on, Mark?"
"I knew you always wanted to retire here one day, you like the ocean, 'noisy seagulls beat hover car engines any day'," he teased, earning him a light smack. "So I figured you'd be spending your time at the best seaside hotel in Anhur." At her impressed look he added, "it also helps that you used 'Evelyn Creed' as a cover. Wouldn't have picked you out otherwise."
Damn. So the old credentials had to go. Evelyn Creed had been a part of her toolkit for much longer than Cerberus regs allowed, but they left before she could switch them for new ones. Now they were on their own. It would cost a shitload of credits to swap it in the underground and she was already running low.
"How good are your contacts in this area?" Elena asked, realizing he must have had some if he was able to track her down.
"Not very, otherwise I wouldn't be in the shape I'm in," Mark said, watching her with curiosity. She reached out to smooth his hair. "Why?"
"We're going to need new credentials," she said, looking down to him as she combed her fingers through his jet black hair.
Mark squeezed her other hand in a comforting gesture. "We'll be fine. I know a guy I can trust."
"Good, so before we go meet him can you tell me what went wrong?" she asked, as her gaze dropped to his bruised body. He would have scars to add to his scars, and looked like he needed a good rest. But she also needed to know who to watch out for.
His blue eyes darkened with frustration before something akin to regret surfaced. She hated seeing him like this when all his anger turned inwards. It wasn't right.
"Elena...let it go," he pleaded, and she took comfort in the fact that he promised he would never lie to her.
"Look, it's okay," she said gently. Maybe this wasn't the best thing to talk about, especially if there were casualties. "If we're all that's le..."
"What?" Mark raised a confused brow before it hit him. "No, it's not like that. The others are still alive...the last time I checked. But you won't like this."
The flicker of hope was short lived as Elena wondered about what she wasn't going to like. "So you were just minding your business alone and a group of batarians attacked you?"
"Yes," Mark replied, putting his arms behind his head and giving her a sideways glance.
"Mark?" she pressed, getting tired of the murky picture.
He wouldn't look at her. She snaked a finger to his jaw and turned his head back her way, but his eyes remained averted, ashamed even.
Not knowing what else to do Elena ducked and brushed his lips lightly with her own. The fleeting moment of tension eased away as he responded, pulling her closer. But just as soon as it started, she drew back enough to watch him carefully, pleading for any type of answer.
"Tell me," she whispered, slowly, hoping her voice would be enough for him to spill it now.
She felt his heart quicken beneath her palm. Those clear blue eyes no longer looked earnest as he said, "I wanted to sell the Hammerhead project."
o~O~o
Location: Docking bay, Cerberus Frigate 'Albatross', drifting the outer orbit of the Newton System in stealth mode.
Lt. General Oleg Petrovsky felt every throb of his heartbeat as he watched the team prepare. Sveta and Dima were fast and efficient, making sure nothing but the absolute necessities were packed. But it was Banes' utter lack of gear that had him panicked from the start. How were his people supposed to trust this man to be their squad leader? He had nothing but a Gorgon assault rifle. No secondary weapon, no shields, nothing but the sleeveless suit and black dress pants.
If that rifle overheated then his people would have the impossible task of keeping Banes safe while completing the objective. It was reckless.
"I think you're forgetting something," Dima spoke up when he saw Banes approach the shuttle.
Banes stopped and turned to them with a sickeningly sweet smile. "I have everything I need, tough guy."
"And if that rifle overheats? You expect us to cover you," Sveta spoke, snapping the straps of her pack as she approached.
"Worried about me, sweetheart?" Banes moved out of her way as she passed into the shuttle. Petrovsky moved closer with Dima. "No need. It is I who will be protecting you and tough guy over there. So don't worry your pretty face." Banes hopped in and took a seat next to her. "Now how about a kiss for good luck?"
"Settle down, Banes," Petrovsky growled, unable to help himself. If it were up to him this man would be terminated and his brain would be studied by Cerberus' top scientists. "You have a mission to lead. I need your focus."
Banes' unnerving smirk didn't waiver as he gave Petrovsky a lazy salute. "Don't worry, Ivan. I'll take real good care of your precious cargo."
"General, we are ready for takeoff," the voice of the pilot sounded over the intercom. That was his cue to step off the platform and let the shuttle fly, but he was hesitant to do so. If anything happened to his people, Banes would never see the light of morning again. He would make sure of that.
"Ivan, you have trust issues my friend," Banes replied before putting an arm over Dima and Sveta on either side of him. "We look forward to working closely."
"I will personally oversee this mission. If you stray from the objective I won't hesitate to exterminate you, Banes," Petrovsky said before backing away.
As the shuttle took off, Petrovsky hoped The Illusive Man was right about Banes.
o~O~o
The busy medical staff didn't spare Jeremy a glance as they rushed past. He managed to clean and bandage up his own wounds before donning this disguise. Now his stolen lab coat and scrubs made him look important enough to avoid. But it was only a matter of moments before doctor 'Matthews', as the name tag said, would be looking for his coat and car keys. Jeremy smiled, watching his charge from the other side of the observation glass.
The monitors showed a steady pulse for the lucky bastard named Caplus Stark. Lying on a premiere medical recliner bed he looked like a pincushion with all the needles and monitoring equipment sticking out of him. Heck, the poor boy had a mushroom of a bandage around his head and a few bruises to boot.
A true badass.
Jeremy stood by casually as he checked the kid's file, a few broken ribs from the portion of concrete that fell on him, a mild concussion and some dehydration. He'd be up and out of here in no time.
Satisfied that the kid would be in good hands, Jeremy replaced the data file and gingerly moved away. When he woke up, the entire complex would be one big investigation, if it weren't already. That didn't put a lot of time on the clock to haul ass and move on. But was it safe to break schedule and head for Earth?
Jeremy flattened himself against the wall as an ER patient was wheeled past. Multiple techs were trying to resuscitate the victim but even he could tell it was much too late for that now. Climbing into the elevator shut the door on that grim fate. He rode it all the way to the roof parkade, ignoring the curious looks from some senior staffers who wanted to ask him questions about the light cuts on his face but thought better of it. Which was good, since he was in no mood for bullshit. The entire world depended on him keeping his messed up tech away from a rogue group and there was no one in hell that would stop him.
The elevator pinged at its final destination and Jeremy confidently strode out in search of his getaway vehicle. It was no surprise that Dr. Matthews was loaded. The bright red hover car was the very latest design in sports cars. Hell it was almost a shame to subject this beauty to the sand-struck conditions of this windy day, but there was no time to be picky.
After strapping himself in, Jeremy keyed the coordinates for the storage blocks. The magnetic locks disengaged and the car hovered in place. Gunning the engine, Jeremy whooped in delight when the mini-mass effect core engaged and shot him out of the parkade. Getting away in style reminded him of why he loved this job so much.