Chapter 7
"Shepard, I think you should try this on," Tali said holding up an asari based ensemble.
"Hmm… I don't know, Tali. Showing off that much midsection isn't very 'commander-ish'."
"Fine, be uptight about it. Liara? Ashley?"
Ashley looked over at it, "I have the same idea as the commander, not a fan of showing that much skin. I think I might just go casual anyway."
Tali looked pleadingly at Liara and sighed when the asari shook her head. "Bosh'tets! None of you are any fun!" Wandering over to the human style section, she began rummaging through the selections. I am going to get at least one of them to dress up! "Shepard, I'm curious, what is with you and Kaidan?"
"Yeah, Commander," Ashley piped up, "he is always asking about you. You know, trying to find out things about you and always wondering where you are and if you are available to talk to him."
"Ugh, there is nothing between him and me. I have no interest in Kaidan besides being friends, SIMPLY friends."
"He certainly doesn't think that," Liara added.
"What about Garrus?" Tali exchanged a glance with Liara and Ashely, each of them grinning deviously.
"What about Garrus?" Jane said, oblivious to their reactions. She picked up a top and held it against her torso. "What do you guys think?" she said turning to them.
"About the top or about you and our turian friend?" Tali retorted.
Jane's mouth dropped open and she quickly put the top back. She stood awkwardly in front of them, "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Yeah, sure you don't," Ashley laughed.
Jane was glad that Ashley had gotten over her xenophobic nature, but it wasn't in Jane's favor at the moment. "Garrus and I are just friends, and besides, he is John's best friend."
"Am I missing some human cultural issue? What does it matter that he is John's friend?" Liara said, turning to Ashley.
"No, Shepard is just being chicken."
"How many times do I have to say it? We are just friends," Jane said moving along the racks. "Are you guys going to help me find something to wear or not?"
"You can't avoid the issue forever," Tali laughed.
"Talking about avoiding issues, you are one to talk, Tali!" Jane said spinning on the quarian. "I have seen you and John flirting."
"Wha – What?! I would never!"
"You don't have to act shy because he is my brother. I can always keep him in line for you."
Tali spun on Liara and Ashley as they laughed, "There is nothing between John and me! And there couldn't be! I am dextro! Not to mention I have a compromised immune system. Also, no offense to your brother, Shepard, but the day I enter a relationship with him will be the day I fight alongside a geth!"
"He is a good guy, Tali… just so you know," Jane followed up.
"Alright, let's move past this boy talk," Ashley said. "Shepard, would you be opposed to a dress for tonight? Liara and I have made it clear that we won't."
Jane looked around and saw Tali's pleading eyes. It had been hard to read her friend at first, but now she found it quite easy, despite the mask. "I guess it couldn't hurt," she sighed and took the dress that Tali picked up. "I'll be right back."
As soon as she was out of earshot, Tali turned back to her friends, "I am going to convince Shepard to have a wardrobe full of form-fitting items. She needs to show off that waist."
"Why the waist?" Ashley asked.
"Turians have a thing for waists."
"So, what do you guys think the girls are up to right now?" Kaidan asked, throwing his bet in.
Most of the crew had left to enjoy their leave, but men of the ground team had stayed behind for now. All of them taking part in a game of Skyllian Five and putting up small bets of credits or mods.
John tossed in his bet, "Probably boy talk. Or plotting against us. Isn't that what they usually do?"
"I thought boy talk was limited to pre-sexy pillow fights at sleepovers," Joker laughed.
"The emotions of your species is too complicated," Wrex muttered. "Much simpler with krogans. Males fight over the females and they are happy with whoever is the victor."
"Yeah, I guess we did make it more complicated, huh?" John chuckled. "What are turians like, Garrus?"
"I guess, you could say a little of both. Of course, feelings factor into it, but if our mate or even potential mate is being propositioned by another, we get a little violent."
"Defending a lady's honor, aye?" Kaidan spoke up.
As the hours passed, the men ordered in food to continue their game. Jane had messaged them informing the guys that they would be eating at a café near the stores but would be heading back soon.
"You know they are still going to spend at least two hours getting ready," Joker complained. "So, are we going to Chora's Den or not? Kaidan and Wrex, you guys both agreed."
Kaidan rubbed the back of his neck, "Look, Joker, I was just kind of riled up from Ashley egging me on… I don't think I really want to go."
"Kaidan, I need you to go. Wrex will probably break me getting there." Wrex boomed out a laugh at the comment.
"Fine, I'll go. But only for supervision and to make sure we get to Flux on time."
"Alright! Well, good game men! And Garrus, you have one hell of a poker face, I don't know if I will ever play with you again."
Garrus grinned as he collected his winnings, a few weapon mods and good amount of credits. Hmm, should be enough to cover whatever Shepard and I do tomorrow.
"Yeah," John leaned back in his chair, "guess I should have mentioned how good he was. Almost cleaned me out the first time I played against him."
They heard giggling filtering through the hallways, signaling the women's return. A loud thudding sounded from one of them tripping and then a loud burst of laughter. As they came into view, they hardly even paid attention to the guys sitting at the table.
"Have fun?" John smiled.
Jane looked at her companions who were still laughing so she decided to answer, "Hmm, can't you tell? Did a little pre-gaming while we were at dinner. And now, we are all going to start getting ready. Meet you boys at Flux?"
"Sounds good to us."
"Oh, and Garrus, you should have taken the bait John gave you about joining us today," Tali said, her words already a little jumbled. The turian just stared back at her confused along with the rest of the males. "Well, none of usgot anything, Shepard was the only one who did, but I think she really needed a male's opinion when picking out her outfit."
"You can just ignore her," Jane said shaking her head and looking directly at Garrus. "Don't feel like you are on the spot or anything."
"Hey, Jane, why don't you give a little fashion show?" Joker grinned.
"I bet you would love that wouldn't you, Jeff? I think I will keep you all guessing," and Shepard corralled the girls into her room and locked the door behind them.
"Yup, plotting. You were right, John."
"I still think that we should have all left together," Garrus said sliding into the booth.
"Turian women must be different, then," John chuckled taking a long sip from his drink. "Trust me, they want to surprise us. I just hope Jane will be in something appropriate."
"And what do you consider appropriate?" Joker asked, hobbling up on his crutches and sitting down in a chair on the end.
"A long-sleeved turtleneck. Maybe some sweats? How was Chora's Den?"
Wrex pulled up a chair to the table with a smug grin on his face as Joker explained, "Meh, these two weren't that much fun. Wrex got in a fight and destroyed a couple tables, nearly got us thrown out."
"Only 'nearly'?" Garrus asked "What do you have to do to get yourself kicked out of there?"
Kaidan sat down at the end of the booth next to John, "I guess do what you guys did earlier, shoot the place up."
"Uh, John… I think you may be disappointed in Jane's appearance… Damn!" Joker said and raised an eyebrow at the door.
Karin and Ashley walked in first, smiling and looking back over their shoulders when they saw the guys sitting at the table. Jane came in next with her arms looped through Tali's and Liara's. They practically came skipping in, full of giggles and smiles. She looked up at the guys at the table and waved her hand that was linked to Tali's. She wore a black dress with red detailing that hugged her every curve with a halter style top. Her hair was down and curled, part of it falling over her shoulders.
She smiled down at the dropped jaws at the table, "Well, hello boys. Having a good evening so far?"
"It just got a lot better now," Joker grinned at her and took a moment to glance around the table.
"Alright," John said getting stern, "who do I blame for this?" Jane simply smiled down at him as she rested her forearms on her friends' shoulders, striking a pose by jutting out her hip.
"That would be me," Tali crossed her arms. "We all agree that she looks amazing and you have no right interfering in her wardrobe. Only females have that right."
Garrus was having a hard time formulating any thoughts. She did look great, better than great. And that pose was really working for him too. Spirits! What are you thinking, Vakarian! Snap out of it!
Kaidan stood up and put a hand on the back of the seat at the booth, "Wow, Shepard you look amazing."
"Thank you, Kaidan."
John scooted towards the exit, blocking Jane's entry so she went in on the other side, next to Garrus. "I'll get the first round," John announced, "Tali, want to help me?"
"Sure, John," she followed him over to the bar and sat on one of the stools.
"Alright, what the hell is going on?"
Tali put a hand on her chest, "Why, whatever do you mean?"
"Don't feign ignorance with me. You girls are up to something." John looked back at the table to see Jane sitting between Garrus and Liara laughing with Joker while Kaidan sat across from her. "Are you trying to get Kaidan to make a move? Or are you trying to get Jane some random hookup? Look, I want her to relax too, but I don't think we have the same idea."
"Trust me, it is not for Kaidan," Tali chuckled. "And Shepard can decide for herself what she wants. We just wanted to dress her up for it."
"Alright, Shepard," Wrex rumbled. "John tells me you can drink. I challenge you."
"Is that so!" Jane laughed and looked up at John when he and Tali returned. "Well, I would be more than happy to accept your challenge Wrex, but how about we wait until this whole Saren thing is over? I do feel like I have to be a little responsible tonight."
"Suit yourself, Shepard. But I am going to hold you to that. No backing out next time."
The evening progressed better than they had hoped. Everyone was enjoying themselves and some drinking to excess. Chakwas and Williams agreed to take Joker back since he could barely even use his crutches anymore. Kaidan kept trying to move closer to Jane but every time he would try, Garrus or John would block him. Tali was getting more and more drunk, it was getting quite hilarious watching the young quarian.
"Care to dance, Tali?" John asked holding his hand out to her.
"Oh! John, quarianss don't really…"
"No excuses," he said hauling her up and to the dance floor.
"Shepard? Would you care to?" Kaidan smiled at her.
"Sorry, Kaidan, I don't really dance. "
"Oh, come on, I remember you being alright."
"Thanks, but no thanks. Maybe Liara would like to go?" Jane smiled at him and took a long swig from her drink.
"Um… okay, Liara?"
"Sure. It would be interesting to see how humans dance first hand."
Jane smiled at them as they left and turned to face Garrus. "So, do turians dance?"
"Not exactly. But why are you so interested? I thought you don't dance either."
Jane shrugged, "A better excuse than saying I didn't want to dance with him. You seem to be taking things pretty slow," she motioned to his drink.
"I could say the same about you. I guess I feel like keeping my wits about me this evening. And maybe, when this is all over, I'll cut loose."
"I have to agree with you, big guy. I guess I have already promised Wrex that I would go crazy at the end of this, but how about you promise me too?"
"I suppose it wouldn't be too dangerous to agree to that. Though, if you are taking on Wrex in a drinking contest, maybe I should stay sober to watch over you."
"I'm pretty sure that John will have that covered… Wait a minute… Did John ask you to keep an eye on me? And I am not talking about just shore leave." Garrus looked away as his mandibles flared in embarrassment. "I knew it!"
"Shepard, I – "
"Don't worry about it, Garrus. He has done this before. And I know you haven't been 'reporting back' to him. John doesn't hide things very well."
"I am friends with both of you. I wouldn't betray either of your trusts as long as I can help it."
"I know, Garrus. Want another drink?"
"I can get it."
"We'll both go, then," Jane said sliding out from the booth and pausing for him to catch up.
As soon as he stood, Jane started to move towards the bar. Garrus couldn't help but watch at the way she walked. The dress accentuated her curves in all the right places and the way she walked swayed her hips in the most tempting way. Fuck! Garrus cursed himself and looked up. He had to purposefully look away and almost bumped into Jane when they reached the bar. Sitting at the stools, he watched Jane settle into the seat, crossing her ankles and turning her legs in quite a sensual way.
"You wouldn't have any whiskey back there, would you?" at the bartender's nod, Jane went on with her order, "Then, I'll take a whiskey straight up." Garrus made his order and sat down, turning to face Jane. Even sitting down he still had to look down at her. "See something you like, Garrus?" Jane said turning and smirking up at him. His mandibles began to flutter in embarrassment, again, "I'm just messing with you!" she nudged him in the shoulder and turned to face the dance floor, leaning on the bar with her elbows.
"I will admit, the dress does suit you. You almost look like a different person tonight."
"In a good way, I hope," she turned her head to him. "Don't worry, I'll be a little more recognizable tomorrow. But I must admit, it has been nice dressing up."
"You should do it more often, then. I mean – if you prefer it, you should do what you like."
"Hmm, can't really put a skirt on armor."
"It would give you the element of surprise. I think our enemies would do a double take before shooting at you."
"Except for the geth."
"Maybe even the geth."
"Oh? I look that good, huh?" Jane laughed and arched her back looking down at herself.
Again, Garrus had to risk a look.
John took Tali's hand in his and placed her other hand on his shoulder before resting a hand on her lower back. They began to sway back and forth with Tali checking her feet occasionally.
"John, we aren't even moving to the beat of the music."
"Yes we are, the one that is playing my head anyway."
Tali rolled her eyes but made a faulty step and momentarily stood on John's foot, "Oh! I'm sorry!" To his credit, he only smiled at her and shook his head. "I told you I couldn't dance," she mumbled.
"You are doing wonderfully," he raised his hand, getting her to turn and then wrapped his arm around her again. "I'm sorry if you didn't get to enjoy shopping as much as you wanted to."
"It was fun, really. Shepard was a good sport and we got her a lot of new things."
"That's not what I was talking about."
"I know…"
"But no matter what, I still think you are beautiful."
Tali rolled her eyes at him even though she knew he probably couldn't tell. "You have never even seen my face, John."
"Beauty isn't just about physical appearance."
I know that this was a shorter one, but the last chapter was pretty long and I think the next one will be too. Also, I didn't want to have a super long chapter this time or have a weird break in between chapter 7 and chapter 8.