Chapter 18 - Ultimatum

Garrus
August 14th, 2188

It took three weeks for the Alliance to authenticate the recording and three more weeks to coordinate and plan the operation. No one wanted a war, but they were prepared to retaliate for the attack if it came to it.

I sat at my desk, stumped, staring at my half-written speech, unable to write any more. I sighed and squeezed the bridge of my nose, trying to push through the block stopping me, to no avail. I was asking my people to commit to a war, one I didn't even want to be in, because someone wanted to see the balance of power shift.

War took a toll on more than just the soldier. Brave spouses sat on pins and needles, waiting for the call that their other half had been killed. Grieving parents buried children far too young to have even experienced all that life had to offer. Young children wondered why mada or pada never returned home. Everyone was hurt by war. How could I ask my people to do that?

With the Reapers, it was easy to ask someone to sacrifice everything when dying was assured as the other option. The pit in my stomach grew as I thought harder and harder about what I was asking. I needed help. I tapped the intercom button on my desk, "Sentia, could you set up a meeting with General Victus, please? For as soon as possible."

-0-

It only took fifteen minutes for the former Primarch to be seated on a sofa in his office. I sat across from him on an identical one, reaching across the gap, offering a glass of turian brandy. Adrien took the glass and nodded to me in thanks, "So, what can I do for you?"

"I can't figure out my speech. I was hoping you could help."

Adrien sipped at the brandy, "I don't think I am the right person to help you with that, Garrus. I never had to deliver a speech. My tenure as Primarch was more of a do-or-die type."

"I don't know who else to ask."

"Son, I saw what you had in you when we worked together on Manae. Even if I knew nothing of the situation, and you told me this was the right action, I'd back you every time. That being said, you've overlooked one critical resource; your bondmate. That woman could sell a steak to a cudarae butcher."

I felt myself smile and felt quite stupid. Adrien was right, Amelia was my greatest asset. How could I possibly have forgotten? "Thanks, Adrien."

Amelia

I leaned over Octavia's crib, looking with awe at my child as she yawned, her cute, stubby mandibles stretching to their limit. I saw it every day, but it still made my heart melt every time. Octavia rolled onto her side and promptly fell asleep, pulling her blanket up to her face with her deft hands.

I walked a few feet over, peeking into Gaius's crib, seeing him in a similar position as his sister, soundly sleeping. I smiled. Before me was everything I had ever wanted.

"Ame?" The crisp, British voice whispered from the doorway. I turned, motioning with my head towards the door.

The pair walked down the stairs, now out of earshot of the sleeping children, "Yes?"

"It's time for me to go home," Chakwas said. I frowned, prompting Chakwas to elaborate, "I told you it'd take six weeks for your body to return to normal after the cesarian. The immunosuppressants are out of your system. You and the kids are the pictures of health. My work here is done."

"I can't thank you enough for what you did for me… I'll be forever in your debt."

"Nonsense. Everyone in the galaxy is in your debt, and I think I've paid it forward," Chakwas said with a smile. "If there is ever anything you need, don't hesitate to call me."

I hugged Chakwas fiercely, a few silent tears rolling down my cheeks, "Imma miss you."

Garrus

I stepped out of the backseat of the car, sighing as I walked to the door. The new security measures put in place against my will had been grating on my nerves, mainly being driven around. I used to enjoy driving, especially when there was no traffic. It was calming, peaceful. Now, I just sat in the back and waited to get somewhere. Now I understood why Amelia always wanted to drive, despite being a complete psychopath behind the wheel. Now I felt bad about forcing her to stop. I smirked at the memory, opening the door and walking inside, nearly running into Chakwas.

"Ooh. Sorry," I said, scooting to one side of the corridor to allow her to pass.

The aging doctor flashed a brilliant white smile at him, "Don't worry. I'm glad you came back early. I am on my way home. This way, we get to say goodbye."

"Oh…" It was the only response I could muster. I knew Chakwas's staying with them wasn't permanent, but I didn't expect her to leave so soon.

"Don't worry. I will visit every few months to check up on Gaius and Octavia."

I smiled at her, "You'll always be welcome here, Karin. I can't thank you enough for what you've done over the past year."

"Your wife said something similar. It was my pleasure. Goodbye, Garrus." Chakwas said, shaking my offered hand and walking out the door.

I continued into the living room, spotting Amelia sitting on the couch. She had a smile on her face, but there was a tear on her cheek. I sat on the couch next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, and she sunk into my side. After a few moments of companionable silence, Amelia asked, "What are you doing back so early?"

"Came to ask for your help."

-0-

"Citizens of the Hierarchy, I come to you today with a heavy heart and a heavy hand. As most of you know, there was an attempt against my life ten weeks ago. We quickly found out who committed the action, and six weeks ago, in conjunction with the Nos Astra police department, arrested the two asari perpetrators. While in transit to Cipritine to be questioned, one successfully committed suicide, and the other tried and failed.

The perpetrator who survived, Aeova T'karos, confessed to being a part of a bigger plot. A plot headed by Councilor Tevos.

For the last six weeks, we have planned our subsequent actions, along with members of the Alliance military. To be clear, we do not want a war, but the action taken by Councilor Tevos was an act of war.

Let this message also act as a formal declaration to the Asari Republics; Surrender Councilor Tevos into the custody of the Hierarchy, or we will take further action. You have ten days. If our demands are not complied with before then, we will begin a blockade of Thessia and Illium.

To reiterate, we do not want war. We just want justice."

I slumped down from my straight-back position as the camera turned off. Amelia walked to me from behind the camera, laying a comforting hand on my back. I looked up into her knowing smile, which evaporated the feeling of impending doom. "Thank you, Amelia," I said exhaustedly.

"Come on, let's go home," Amelia's smile widened, and a small laugh escaped her lips, provoking a head tilt from me as they walked hand-in-hand towards the aircar awaiting them, "I can't believe you asked your secretary to babysit while we were gone…."

I gave her a full-throated laugh, "Who else would do it? Solana was busy tonight. C'mon, you know Sentia loves the kids!"

-0-

We spent the entire ride home in companionable silence, Amelia leaning onto me, our hands still intertwined, Amelia expertly weaving her five fingers into my three.

We walked into the house, seeing Sentia quietly working on something on her datapad on the couch. She looked up at them as the door closed, "Hi," she whispered, even though the nursery was on the other side of the house, "They were great, went down with no problems."

"Thank you, Sentia," Amelia said, giving my secretary her classic radiant smile, "Someday, you'll have to teach me how you do that,"

"Of course, ma'am. If it's okay, I think I'll leave now. I got the files you asked for, Primarch. They are on this datapad.

Amelia huffed at her, "Dispose of this 'ma'am' crap. Call me Amelia, especially here."

"Yes, ma… Of course, Amelia." Sentia said. I note how her subharmonics whirred with worry, knowing Amelia heard it too.

"Thank you, Sentia. Lavus will take you wherever you want to go. Have a good night."

"Of course, Primarch, and thank you. Have a good night; see you in the morning." With that, Sentia left.

I started to open the datapad in my hand, but it was stolen by Amelia, who tossed it onto the couch before grabbing the offending appendage, dragging me towards the stairs, "No more work tonight, let's check on the kids, and then get some alone time. Chakwas said I am fully healed from the birth, and the meds are out of my system. It's been over a year since we've had sex…." She stood on her tiptoes, whispering into my ear in the most sultry tone I'd ever heard, "You have no idea how horny I am."

I guffawed at her brazenness, completely stunned by it until I realized that if I stood still any longer, I might get carried up the stairs. I dropped my voice as low as it could go, speaking quietly, almost more rumbling than words, "Sounds like a plan." I smiled at the pleased shiver that ran through her body.

Amelia

I quickly checked on the kids, who were indeed sound asleep in the cutest way possible, all tangled up in their blankets, their small mandibles warbling with their inhales and exhales. As carefully as possible, I moved their blankets so they were fully covered, giving them a light kiss on their cheeks.

I walked down the short hallway to our bedroom, stepping inside and immediately stripping down to my underwear. I heard movement in the bathroom as I stripped off my bra, an idea sparking to life inside my head. I turned my body away from the bathroom and bent over. As the door opened, I slowly slid my panties down her legs, reaching a hand down between my legs and running a finger across my apex, acting as if I was oblivious to his presence.

I couldn't keep the charade up as Garrus groaned loudly, "You weren't playing, were you? I can smell how ready you are from here." I laughed, standing back up, turning, and walking over to him.

"It," I pulled his head down to hers, planting a kiss on his lip plates, "has been a very, very long year. I need you right now," I moved my hand down to his slit, lightly brushing over the material of his pants and relishing at the sound of his hitching breath, "So get on the bed."

Garrus did as he was told without a word, stripping down and moving to lay down on the bed. I quickly climbed atop him, still coaxing him to open for me. Between his need and my teasing, it didn't take long until he stood tall and ready.

Without any fuss, I positioned myself over him and lowered myself, covering my mouth to stifle the moans. As I slid to his hilt, I came. Garrus moaned in turn as my inner walls constricted around him.

One down, several more to go. I began rocking my hips, tilting my head back with the sheer bliss of the feeling. Garrus's hands began to grip and release the sheets in a rhythmic pattern. I reached down, grabbing each of his wrists, and pulled them up to my boobs, craving the extra stimulation of his rough, leathery hide on my smooth skin. It didn't take until we were both on the verge. Garrus tipped over the edge first, emptying himself inside me and pushing me over the cliff.

Driven to a near-feral state by the pleasure, I leaned over suddenly, biting down on Garrus's shoulder, lining up perfectly with the bondmark I left. Garrus roared in intense pleasure, clamping down on my shoulder.

-0-

August 15th, 2188

When I woke up, I was unusually groggy for someone who had spent more than half their life rising before the sun. The light of Trebia flowed through the slit windows of our bedroom, sending a warm beam of sunlight onto the naked, pockmarked skin on the back of my shoulders. The bed next to me was empty and cold, meaning Garrus had been up for a while.

As I moved, I felt the broken skin across my body scream out in discomfort. I pulled myself into a sitting position, looking over my body to assess the damage. All over my midsection were small scratches, too fine and shallow to draw blood, but enough that I could feel when the skin nearby moved. Equally delicate teeth marks accompanied the scratches, and I could feel evidence of the same across my back. A wet spot in front of me marked where our combined fluids spilled. The skin between my legs was red, angry, and desperate for lotion.

I nearly collapsed on wobbly knees when I tried to stand, but I caught myself on the edge of the bed. Despite the injuries and pain, I was glowing. Last night I was desperate for my husband, and he delivered in every way.

On sore legs, I made my way towards the bathroom, stopping at the closet to grab a fresh set of clothes to put on after. As I emerged from the closet, Garrus walked into the room. "Good morning," He greeted, as chipper as ever.

"Morning," I replied, smiling up at him as he enclosed me in a hug.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, his predatory eyes appraising all the scuffs and cuts across her body.

"I feel great. How are the kids?"

"They're fine. I just fed and changed them, so they should be good for a while. I came to check on you, see if you wanted anything before I took a shower and went to the office."

"Can you be late?" I asked, biting my lip, desperate to feel him inside me again.

Garrus hummed, "The boss might be angry at me, but I think I can be…."