A/N: As always I want to thank ela11, Jules Hawk, Vorcha Girl, jediserenity82, tlcinbflo and Vicki for your reviews - they made my day! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm rather anxious about it.
And yes, it's NSFW.
Chapter 30. Carpe Noctem
Kaidan watched Shepard walk to the elevator. He had known for quite a while that he was in trouble, but the fact that she seemed to feel the same way didn't make following regulations any easier. The kiss after Virmire could put down to him being slightly drugged from his meds, but just now? He had no such excuse.
And neither does Shepard.
It was time they finished this mission and got some proper shore leave, and the chance to figure out exactly what they wanted.
Or better; if they wanted the same thing.
Kaidan went to the weapons bench and began checking his pistol, throwing glances at the assault rifles on their rack. Nick seemed convinced he should learn to use them again, but he hadn't shot with an assault rifle since basic, and he wasn't quite sure why she was so adamant about it. She'd also made him use the sniper rifle on more than one occasion.
Why was she pushing him? Did it have something to do with reaching his full potential? Did she maybe think a wider weapon proficiency was necessary to be a good soldier after all?
He barely registered the sound of the elevator doors opening until he heard Ashley's voice.
"Hey, LT. How did your talk with Shepard go?"
Kaidan didn't have to turn around to know the chief was grinning from ear to ear.
"Good," he answered without looking up, reassembling his pistol with well-practiced hands. Everything worked smoothly.
"Good? Come on, you can tell me more." Ashley leaned against the bench, watching his movements critically. She didn't trust anybody to know how to maintain weapons properly. Maybe Shepard. And Garrus, but anyone else was under constant scrutiny.
"Satisfied, Chief?" Kaidan held out his pistol to her.
"Only if you tell me, in detail, how your talk with Shepard went."
"I'm on duty, Ash," he sighed. "Sort of."
"No, you aren't." She snorted. "You're just trying to weasel your way out of telling me."
"Weasel my - ?" he shook his head. "We talked about appealing to the Brass and that the Council barely missed being shot. That was mostly it." Kaidan shrugged.
His friend took the pistol out of his hand and began inspecting it. Kaidan stepped back, crossing his arms and watching Ashley as she frowned at the weapon in her hands.
"This actually looks pretty good, LT. I don't think I could have done it any better," she admitted. "But I don't believe that's all you talked about."
"You should, because it was, Ash." He wasn't going to tell her about the kiss. "And you know, just because you're a soldier and I'm a sentinel doesn't mean my weapon proficiency is lower than yours. You can stop acting so surprised."
The elevator doors opened again and Shepard stepped out with her hair still damp from the shower she had needed after her workout. Her gaze fell on Kaidan and Ashley and a light hue of red bloomed on her cheeks.
"Something did happen between you two," Ash whispered to him. "She just blushed when she looked over here."
"No, she didn't," Kaidan deflected. "Why should she?"
"You tell me." Ashley grinned at him, but she dropped the subject as Shepard strode to them.
"Ready, Lieutenant?" Shepard asked, her eyes wandering to the assembled pistol. "I don't think you'll need your gun. We're going straight to Flux to meet the captain and then we head right back. And you do have your biotics if things get rough."
"Better be safe than sorry, Shepard," Kaidan replied, holstering his weapon. "My biotics have to cool down before I can use them again, same goes for my omnitool."
"Always cautious," Shepard said, smiling at him.
"Mostly," he answered.
Shepard exchanged a look with Ashley.
"Always," both women said simultaneously.
"If it makes you happy, take it along. You have five minutes to meet me at the airlock," Nick told him. Their eyes met and she mouthed date at him silently before turning away. "Vakarian! You're coming along as well."
"If it makes you happy, take it along," Ashley whispered in a singsong way, bumping her shoulder against his.
Kaidan rolled his eyes at her, cleaning away the gun oil and rags he had used. He walked to the elevator and stepped onto it together with Garrus.
"How did your talk with Shepard go?" Garrus asked as the doors closed.
Kaidan looked at him incredulously. "Not you too. You and Ash have to be the most meddlesome friends in the galaxy. Don't you guys have any other things to worry about?"
Garrus clicked his mandibles in amusement. "I'm not meddlesome. I just happen to know how Shepard feels about you."
Kaidan looked down at the ground, wondering just how much Shepard had told Garrrus. Had she told him about the kiss after Virmire? He was aware that their close friends had most likely noticed the little changes the past few days; the little touches and quick smiles. But they didn't know they had kissed. At least he hadn't told anyone.
The doors opened and they headed up to the airlock. Joker grinned at him as they passed the open bulkhead.
"Have fun," the pilot called.
Nick was pacing the small space as they arrived.
"About time. Let's get to the Captain and then get the hell off of this station." She was nearly bouncing with excitement.
They took the quickest route to Flux and saw Anderson sitting at a table near the window. Shepard slid into the seat across from him.
"Captain, we came as quickly as we could. You wanted to speak to me?"
Anderson gestured for Kaidan and Garrus to sit down as well and ordered a round of drinks for them.
"It'll look suspicious otherwise," was his explanation. Shepard nodded briefly. "How are you holding up?"
"Am I here as Commander or Nick?" she asked in a low voice.
"A little bit of both," Anderson answered with a smile.
"I'm fucking angry," she spat out. "Those idiots dismissed everything I told them. And then Udina managed to stab us in the back. Fucking bastard."
"I know," Anderson looked serious. "I tried to get word out to you, but Udina got me wrapped up in petty discussions and I had no chance to warn you."
Again Shepard dipped her head in agreement. "It's okay, Uncle Dave. What do you have for me?"
"An idea." He took a swallow of his beverage and continued, "You have to get to Ilos to stop Saren - "
Shepard huffed. "There's only one ship fast enough to get there in time, and she's locked down!"
"Let me finish!" Anderson admonished her for interrupting. "There are two places on the Citadel where the lockdown can be lifted - Udina's office and Citadel Traffic Control. My idea is I sneak into either one and override the lockdown."
"Are you fucking crazy?" Nick hissed, leaning across the table.
Anderson blinked at her, undeterred.
Kaidan couldn't believe his ears. What the captain was suggesting was treason, a capital offense. He shifted uneasily. "Sir, they'll court martial you if you get caught."
"Then I'll just have to be careful," the older marine responded.
Kaidan and Nick exchanged furtive glances. It was quite obvious Shepard wasn't happy about Anderson risking his career, but Kaidan couldn't think of another possibility either.
They sat in silence for a few minutes nursing the glasses in front of them.
"Going to traffic control is crazy," Garrus put in suddenly. "There are always officers on duty there."
""I agree," Shepard said. "If you want to have any chance of success you have to hope Udina isn't in his office."
Their superior officer nodded. "That's my assessment at well." Anderson looked each one of them in the face. "Then we're agreed on that? I'll make my way to Udina's office and get access to his computer?"
Shepard frowned, twisting her half-empty glass in her hands. "I guess. I don't like it, but I can't think of an alternative. It just feels ... wrong that you should risk your career so we can vamoose."
"I'm not risking my career so you can run for it. I'm risking it so you can do your job and save the galaxy."
"Great," she muttered. "No pressure or anything."
"Veronika, you work best under pressure. That's what makes you an excellent officer," Anderson told her. "You're willing to make decisions when others hesitate and you generally find a solution with minimal casualties. And that is a trait that makes people want to follow you."
Shepard blushed.
"He's right," Garrus' two-toned voice broke the momentary silence.
Kaidan couldn't help but smile at her and nod encouragingly when she glanced at him, causing her to blush even more.
Shepard finished her drink. "When will you go to the Embassies?"
"Soon. The Ambassador will probably be in his office for at least half an hour yet. I'm going to get on my way now. You stay here and enjoy your drinks yet." Anderson stood up.
She took a deep breath and whispered, "Okay."
They sat in silence as they focused on their drinks and Nick felt a pang of regret as she watched Kaidan finish his. She had told him they'd have a date, but it sure as hell didn't look like it now. She had planned on listening to whatever information Anderson had for her, sending Garrus back to the ship to inform the crew and dragging Kaidan off for dinner. Now they would be returning to the Normandy again by the quickest route.
As they stepped onto the elevator to the dock Kaidan turned to Shepard.
"I'm sure the Captain will find a way not to get caught, Shepard," he said to her in a hushed tone.
She nodded slowly as they approached Normandy's airlock. Nick reached out to activate the hatch, but then pulled her hand back again and faced Kaidan and Garrus, leaning against Normandy's hull instead.
"I hate it. He gave up command of the Normandy for me and has to deal with this … this … politician … on a daily basis. And now he's going to risk everything he worked for so we can steal the Normandy and commit mutiny? Fuck, fuck, fuck! What if it doesn't work? What if he gets caught? It's not only his career on the line here. It's my career. It's your career." She pointed at Kaidan. "It's the career of every damn serviceman on this ship." Nick paused and hung her head. When she lifted it again there was a gleam of determination in her eyes. "We better get aboard so we're ready." She took a deep breath. "And I have to tell the crew. I can't force anyone to mutiny. It has to be their choice. Wonder how many'll leave?" she whispered as she punched the controls opening the door to the decon chamber.
"None," Kaidan told her firmly and Garrus echoed it.
"Kaidan," she sighed, catching his gaze. "You shouldn't assume others feel the same way as you do."
"I don't have to. But I'm willing to bet no one will leave." Kaidan fell silent as the bulkhead to the CIC slid open. He watched as Shepard straightened her shoulders before stepping out of decon and walking to the helm. And though he wasn't sure if she believed him or not, he was certain the crew would follow her to hell and back. He cast a glimpse at Garrus and saw the turian equivalent of a frown as Garrus watched Shepard.
Kaidan walked past the cockpit and was near the the CIC when the alert for a shipwide announcement sounded. He returned the salute of the marine on guard duty and then turned to face the speaker, all the while keeping an eye on the crew on duty.
"This is Commander Shepard speaking. For those that are unaware, we've been grounded. The Normandy's primary systems have been locked down on the order of Ambassador Udina and the Council." The doubt that had filled her voice just a few moments ago in the decon chamber had disappeared. This was her Commander voice. Determined, with a hint of steel, and in this case, rage. "Now here's the thing. We don't have time for this. Saren is on his way to Ilos and the Conduit and we have to be there before him. The problem is doing this the official way takes days at least. We don't have days."
She paused and they could hear her take a deep breath, as though preparing for a plunge.
"I am now going to give you a choice. The only thing I ask of you is that, no matter which decision you make, you treat this as confidential. I have just returned from a meeting with Captain Anderson and we have decided to mutiny against these orders so we can continue our hunt for Saren. We are going to break the lockdown. I repeat, we are going to mutiny. The captain is going to override the lockdown to give us a chance to leave. Anybody who feels uncomfortable with this decision is free to leave, but you must leave now. You have no more than ten minutes until we attempt to get away. Shepard out."
Kaidan looked around. He saw surprise on the faces of the CIC crew, but no one moved. Pressley came over to him and Kaidan tensed slightly. The navigator was one of the few people he wasn't sure about.
"Lieutenant, is that true? The Captain asked the Commander to mutiny?" Pressley asked.
Kaidan nodded.
"That means we're going to chase Saren?" Pressley pressed on.
"Exactly," Kaidan replied.
The navigator looked around. "Then there is no way anybody is getting me off this ship," Pressley stated loudly. Murmurs of approval ran through the room. Kaidan grinned. He didn't expect the reactions to be any different on the other decks, but he would check nonetheless.
Shepard stood behind Joker and closely watched the controls. Every once in a while she turned at the sound of footsteps, convince at least one crew member wouldn't be willing to mutiny with her, but every time it was just somebody walking from one station to the other or to Pressley; never to her.
She let out the breath she was holding.
"Just relax, Commander," Joker said with a roll of his eyes. "Nobody's going to leave."
She gave him an astonished look. "Kaidan said the same thing and so did Garrus, but … ." Her voice trailed off.
Her pilot snorted and threw a look at her as if she had said something revolting. "Why should anyone leave? You're the Hero of the Blitz and sole survivor of Akuze, youngest soldier to join the rank of N7 and highly decorated. Even if they don't agree with your decision they'll still stay because they believe you can pull it off." He shifted positions, returning his focus to the console in front of him..
"Stay alert," Shepard whispered suddenly, leaning towards the console. A feeling of anticipation tingled through her. "Anytime now."
The board turned green.
"Get us out of here, Joker!" Relief flooded through her; Anderson had not been caught.
"You bet!" He disengaged the docking clamps and the Normandy began drifting backwards.
Shepard gave him a careful pat on the shoulder before leaving the helm. She felt like she was in trance as she walked through the CIC towards the galaxy map to confirm their destination. Doubt gnawed at her and she forced any thought of failure down. She couldn't afford her crew sensing her doubts.
She called up Ilos on the map and marked it so that Joker could calculate the jump. She stepped away from the map and headed down to the crew deck, hoping to find Kaidan either at his work station or the mess, but a quick glance told her he was not there. Her step faltered briefly, debating whether to go to her cabin or eat something first. Or maybe he had a migraine? She craned her neck to look into the medbay, but it appeared to be empty.
With a small sigh she headed to the galley.
The mess sergeant saw her approach and began doling food onto a plate. She handed the tray to Shepard along with some hot sauce, knowing her CO would want it.
"Thank you, van den Hoek," Shepard said and sat down at the table. She kept glancing around as though expecting company. Giving herself a shake she ate and then went to her cabin.
Nick scrubbed her face, sitting at her desk. The cabin was dark, illuminated only by the glow of her terminal . She had spent the past hours going over all of the evidence they had gathered so far, and now she sat back with a sigh, rubbing her temples.
She closed her eyes, feeling more exhausted than she should have, when the sound of the bulkhead sliding open startled her back to reality. Nick turned her head to see who wanted something and was surprised to see Kaidan standing there, hesitating to take the last step in.
"Kaidan," she said as she stood up.
Apparently it was all the invitation he needed. He stepped into her cabin, the bulkhead closing behind him. "Shepard. How are you feeling?"
Nick glanced down at her uniform. "As if I shouldn't be wearing this uniform. On the other hand it's not like they gave us a choice."
"Yeah," Kaidan replied softly. "Hell of a thing. We had to break our oath to the Alliance so we can defend it." He hesitated and let out a small, nervous laugh. "This is probably stupid, but in case this all goes sideways I just wanted to let you know I've enjoyed serving under you, I mean, with you."
"I don't think I've had the pleasure of you serving under me." Nick raised her eyebrows suggestively. "I seriously think we should rectify that."
There was a moment of silence and the he asked huskily, "Is that an order, Commander?"
"Shut up and get over here, Lieutenant," she replied without thinking. Then she turned serious. "Kaidan, you know I'd never order you to do this. You once told me you don't do that kind of thing lightly. Well, neither do I." At least not anymore, Nick thought guiltily. Memories of the time between Elysium and Akuze and some time after that reared up in her mind.
"Nick." Her name was a mere whisper, but it sent shivers down her spine. "I'm here because I want to be here. If you want me to leave, I'll leave." Kaidan moved closer to her and her heart thudded wildly as he reached out and cupped her face gently. "If you want me to stay it'll be my pleasure to stay."
"I want you to stay," she breathed. Nick knew she shouldn't do this, but the fraternization regs seemed small and petty compared to what possibly lay ahead. She had had enough of fighting down her own feelings, and Kaidan obviously felt the same. She stepped closer, her eyes roaming his face.
There was a flicker of hunger in his eyes, mirroring her own feelings, and he tilted his head as he leaned tentatively closer. Her arms shot up of their own accord and wound around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. She felt his arms encircle her waist as their lips crashed together. It wasn't a gentle kiss; it was a kiss filled with almost ravenous passion and longing.
Nick moaned into his mouth as his hands slid down her back and cupped her rear. She slowly pulled her lips away from his, just far enough to look into his eyes. They were dark with desire and she smiled as she kissed him softly, her tongue flicking over the scar on his lip.
Kaidan made a low rumbling sound at the back of his throat, his warm, velvety tongue sliding over hers before peppering kisses along her jawline to her pulse point.
Nick shuddered with a sigh. Her fingers wandered from his shoulders over the firm muscles of his chest downward and she began tugging at his shirt, wanting to run her hands over his skin. Kaidan stopped kissing her and stepped back. Smirking, he pulled his shirt over his head. She licked her lips as she ran her eyes over his body, and followed suit.
They undressed quickly and efficiantly, grinning at each other like lovestruck teenagers.
Kaidan's eyes widened in surprise as Nick grabbed him by the waistband of his skivvies and pulled him between her and the bed, only to push him backwards onto it.
He scooted up the bed with a grin and she followed him with a predatory look on her face, crawling up his body. Her hand brushed lightly over the bulge under the fabric of his boxer briefs and was rewarded with a soft hiss. She traveled her lips over his upper body teasingly, making his muscles twitch under the gentle touch.
His hands ran down her sides, exploring her curves while she planted a kiss after kiss on his sternum. Nick closed her eyes and inhaled the spicy scent of Kaidan's cologne mingled with the ever-present hint of ozone from his biotics.
She loved how he smelled.
Her mouth found his and she lost herself in the kiss. A squeal escaped her as Kaidan rolled her on her back, switching their positions.
"I was serious about the 'serving under me'- part," she said, raising her eyebrows.
"Mmh-hmm. Later," he replied as he kissed his way down the column of her neck to her breasts and then pulled away, running his eyes over her body. "You're so beautiful," he whispered hoarsely before cupping her breasts, kneading them gently. He circled his tongue around a nipple, causing it to pebble and her breath hitched when he sucked at the taut bud. His hand roamed downward and heat pooled in her nether regions.
Calloused fingertips ran over the soft skin of her inner thighs and her legs fell open, inviting him to explore a more secret part of her body. She arched her back as his fingers found that sensitive nub and stroked her clit. His mouth left her breast and he kissed his way along the scar under her rib cage and further down.
Settling between her legs he looked up at her. Nick licked her lips and he smirked, spreading her folds and running his tongue along the length of her slit. She whimpered softly as he flicked his tongue over her nub, licking and sucking at that sensitive mound.
"Kaidan," she rasped, writhing under the treatment of his tongue. "Oh my … Fuck. Me."
"Is that an order?" he asked, his voice throatier than usual with arousal.
"Damn straight it is," she retorted breathlessly.
"Patience," he chuckled and dipped a finger into her core. Her hips bucked as he moved it slowly in and out of her, and her fingers gripped his hair, tugging insistently, but he didn't budge. Instead he intensified his ministrations and she gasped as he slid in a second finger, curling them against that one spot while his tongue circled her nub.
Her body tensed and she sobbed as her orgasm washed over her. Kaidan kissed his way back up until he was face to face with her again, the tip of his cock teasing at her entrance.
"Hey, Beautiful," he said huskily. "Ready?"
Nick didn't waste breath on an answer. She wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him closer and he captured her bottom lip between his teeth as he pushed his length slowly into her, stretching and filling her completely. It felt wonderful; breathtaking, earth-shatteringly good, and it got even better when he began moving inside of her - slowly at first, then faster until he found the perfect rhythym.
Small, keening noises escaped her throat with every thrust and Nick clawed at his back as Kaidan tugged at her earlob with his teeth. Tension was building up low in her body again. She enveloped him with her legs, holding him close.
"My turn," she whispered and they rolled over, barely missing rolling off the bed. Once they were settled again she began rolling her hips, grinding against him. Kaidan groaned, his head falling back onto her pillow, eyelids fluttering. His hands grasped her hips, digging into her flesh as she rode him.
"Shepard … Nick, god, you feel so good," he murmured as he pulled her down for another hungry kiss. "I'm not going to last much longer."
"Me neither," she panted as she slid up and down his length. She was so close. Nick arched her back and gasped when she felt Kaidan rubbing her clit. He ceased when she leaned forward again, seeking his hands and intertwining their fingers as she picked up her pace. Gazing into each other's eyes their foreheads touched gently; the only sound was their panting as they approached their climax. Kaidan came with a soft grunt, Nick following shortly after with a lustful moan; fireworks danced before her eyes. Breathing heavily she collapsed onto him.
"Sorry it went so quick. It's been a while since I - " Kaidan began.
"Since you had sex?" Nick asked, nuzzling the crook of his neck.
"Sex with a woman," he clarified, running a hand slowly up and down her back.
They stayed like this for a while until Kaidan let out a long breath. "I should probably go," he suggested quietly, kissing the top of her head. Nick tilted her head up to recieve another kiss.
"No. Please stay," she invited him, proping herself on her elbow to look at him fully.
"Sure?"
"Abso-fucking-lutely," came her emphatic reply as she dusted her fingertips over chest, moving lower with every circle.
He laughed softly, his amber eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, in that case, carpe noctem."
Nick grinned at him as his hands rested on her ass, squeezing lightly. They kissed again; a slow, deep kiss that did nothing to cool the passion between them.
A/N: Reviews are most welcome! And a happy N7 Day to all!