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“This report is surprisingly light on the details.” The Executor says putting down the datapad. Shepard picks up her hot chocolate and takes a sip.
“What can I say? I got there, killed the bitch, and left.” She sips. They are at their normal cafe sitting outside at their usual table.
“Uh-huh.” He says not buying it. In fact his entire subvocals are screaming that he isn’t buying it, but she can’t hear them, after all she is a human. So he changes his tone. “You are gone for three days and you are light on how exactly the asari died. Not to mention you smell like my son. Again.”
“He didn’t even scent me this time.” She protested.
“He didn’t need to. Did he?”
“No.” She looks at her empty cup and takes another sip. It was a nervous habit she had and a delaying tactic. “Off the record?”
“Shepard, I'm not your boss. Everything is off the record.” He reminds her.
“I met him at Afterlife when I was trying to find the target. He helped me kill her and then took care of me afterwards. It was intense.”
“Yeah, I really don’t need the specifics.” He waves her off. A human gesture that he picked up from her. “My daughter and mate told me that he called after that trashy article about how we are “hooking up ". Did he mention it to you?”
“In a very C-Sec way. He brought it up without bringing it up at all. I had to defend myself without actually being accused of anything. Standard detective tactic.”
“He was one of the best detectives. I’m glad he still remembers how to do things right.” Castis said with pride in his subvocals.
“Why did he quit? Oh spirits, was he there for the Chellick incident?”
“After his mom got diagnosed we had a fight over his Spectre candidate. He couldn’t work for someone who was more “by the book” than “get the job done” so he left. It was a fight neither of us are proud of.” Castis said a little sadly.
“I don’t think he believes the rumor that you and I are sleeping together. Honestly I think his and my relationship might have changed after this last mission. I don’t know what it is changing into but there were moments of real vulnerability in between the sex. Although he still hasn’t told me his name. And I didn’t tell him I knew it anyway.”
“What do you call him?” Shepard picks up her empty cup again and doesn’t answer him.
“Either way I have new orders for you.” Castis says.
“I don’t work for you. The council should be giving me these orders.” She reminds him.
“They will.” He informs her. “Just thought you might want to know in advance.” Her omnitool beeped. In two hours from now she has a mission briefing with the council. That could be two hours of gathering intel.
“Well speak of the devil. Sorry human expression. It means the thing we were just talking about happened. The council says they have a new mission for me in two hours.”
“How about that?” He hums and drinks his turian coffee.
“What about this mission? You were going to tell me?” She prompts him.
“You know, speaking of my son still remembering how to do things correctly, did you hear about the newest thing Archangel is doing?” Castis hums.
“That's a huge departure and I didn’t take you for gossip.” She tells him smugly. After a minute of not speaking she gives in. “Okay so what is he doing?”
Now Castis is smug. “Rumor is that he is taking prisoners now. He used to just kill them, now he takes them alive.”
“You know I did hear about that. Maybe someone gave him some advice on how killing is easy but taking prisoners requires more skill.”
“That would be a wild speculation. It would work though. Calling into question his skill and pride like that.”
“Probably.”
“Probably.”
“Why bring Archangel up?” She asks him.
“Oh he was invited to a party for the worst of the worst held right in council space.” Shepard got a sinking feeling in her gut.
“Am I being sent in to take him out now that he is back in the council’s jurisdiction?” She asks.
“No. You are being sent into the party but not for him.” Her gut eased up. “You seemed upset for some reason just now.” He smirks knowingly.
“I don’t like parties.” She tells him. It’s true and not the reason and they both know it.
Two hours later
She is told her mission along with Nihlus and Saren. Shepard is to infiltrate the party. Then get Donovan, the man himself, into an area that Saren and Nihlus will be waiting to apprehend him. All she has to do is: get a fake alias, get invited to the party, get him alone at a specific place at his own party. Easy.
The three Spectres go to Spectre HQ and sit at one of the tables planning their mission. They download the blueprints of the house, patrol patterns of the armed guards, and itinerary of the party.
“So between 1823 and 1859 he doesn’t have a scheduled activity.” Nihlus said.
“Is it weird that he schedules his bathroom breaks in between mingling with the crowd by the statue and garden?” Shepard asked.
“His security detail probably has that as a requirement.” Saren told her.
“He will have a personal guard on him all the time anyway.” She explains.
“I think it’s so his guests don’t steal his stuff. There is a downside to only associating with criminals.” Nihlus pointed out.
“Speaking of. How are you going to get an invite?” Saren asks.
She sighs. “How else? Seduce a turian on the list to be their plus one.” Might as well use her reputation to her advantage; it's what they expect of her anyway. She pulls up her omnitool and sends a quick message.
SpectreShepard: I know this is last minute but I need help with a mission.
Archangel: What kind of help? Is it like last time?
SpectreShepard: I’m not killing a crazed sex asari no.
Archangel: Damn
SpectreShepard: I need a date to a party
Archangel: Nihlus looks better in a tux
Was this a test? Was he jealous?
SpectreShepard: I don’t want Nihlus on my six I want you
Archangel . . .
SpectreShepard: Also I need an invite to the party and you already got it
Archangel: Oh Hock’s thing. Makes sense. Lots of baddies for you to get there.
SpectreShepard: Well?
Archangel: You want to use my invite to do a mission?
SpectreShepard: Yes
Archangel: what if I already had a date for the party?
Spirits did he? Was the developing relationship all in her head? Was it the Chellick thing all over again?
Archangel: I don’t. So sure you can be my plus one.
SpectreShepard: Thanks. I’ll meet you there?
Archangel: I’ll wait by the front statue. I assume rich basterds have statues in the front of their house.
SpectreShepard: This one does. I’ll meet you there. Thanks Archangel.
Archangel: It’s a date.
Is it a date? Spirits why can’t her love life be easy.
“Done.” She tells the two turians. They were in their own conversation about where best to set up the ambush.
“Done with what?” Saren looks over to her.
“Got the invite. Just had to seduce a turian on the list.” She told him.
“That was remarkably fast.” Nihlus says.
“I’m good at it.” she deadpans. The three converse about how the mission will go. Shepard is 100% focused on what they are saying. And not on what this mission will mean for her and Garrus.
The day of the party arrives. She sees her turian date standing by the fountain just like they planned. She sauntered over to him. “Hey there big guy. Waiting for someone?”
He turns to look at her and his mandibles flare outwards. She, with the help of Nihlus, went all out. Short black tight dress that actuantes her curves and makes her look good.
Recovering he smirks at her. “Sorry miss. I have a date already and she might be just as sexy as you but her fringe is red not yellow.” Garrus tells her.
“It’s a wig.” she whispers shyly. “Do I look okay?”
“Okay? You moved way past okay and landed in really fucking sexy.” He whispers back to her. He takes his hand and places it on her back. “Shall we?” He asks as he guides her into the mansion.
They get through the door with no problems and grab drinks from the tray one of the waiters is walking around with.
“So what is the plan?” He asks her as they stop to admire a painting.
“I have to do something I’ve never done before.”
“What is that?” He asks her.
“I have to seduce a human male. At 1823 Hock’s schedule opens up and I have to get him to get me alone. There I subdue him and Nihlus and Saren extract us back to the Citadel for questioning. I only have until 1859 before someone notices Hock is gone.”
“He scheduled half an hour for sex?”
“See why I prefer turians?” They both laugh at the joke. “If he were a turian I might have a shot but I don’t know what to do with a human.” She confesses.
“I think I can help you out.” He whispers as they both notice Donovan Hock walking towards them.
“Archangel. I’m so glad you could make it.” He says as he extends a hand to Garrus.
“Mr. Hock. I wasn’t going to come but my date is fascinated by your art collection and just wanted to see it.” Garrus tells him but doesn’t take his hand.
Donovan extends his hand to Shepard. “And your lovely date is?”
“Allison Gunn.” Shepard tells him and hands him her hand. He takes it and kisses her knuckles. Maintaining eye contact the whole time.
“Well Miss Gunn. I’m glad you could join as well.” He smiles at her then turns to her turian date. “Archangel, I hear you have been operating in the Omega cluster lately. Any desire to expand your services?”
“I’m not for hire Mr. Hock. I go where I feel I can do the most good.” Garrus tells him.
“Oh I promise you this opportunity will do the universe some good.” He smiles learily at Garrus.
“Be that as it may. Tonight is all about showing my date a good time. Thank you for the invite. If you will excuse me.” He places his hand on Shepards waist again and they walk away.
“How will that help me?” She whispers to him.
“Look at the reflections in the overly polished metal. Where is he looking?” She does.
“At us.” She tells him.
“Us?” He prompts.
“Me.” She realizes. “Well my ass.”
“It’s a good ass.” He whispers to her. She laughs at him.
“I still don’t see how this will help me.”
“Don’t worry it will. Turian men and human men aren't that different.”
“Trust me you are very different.”
Garrus chuckles a bit. “I mean we aren’t that different in what we want.”
They make their way down to the dancing area. A tango starts to play and Garrus leads her through the dance. They are good together as everyone at the party is mesmerized by the pair, even, especially, Donovan Hock.
As they dance Shepard only has eyes for her turian. And her feet, to make sure she doesn’t step on her turian. Archangel on the other hand notices more than most and he sees the way Hock is eyeing Shepard. He will fall into her trap. Just like he has. Just like others no doubt have. Shepard is a black hole. Beautiful to look at and has the ability to suck you in.
The song ends in a low dip that has the crowd cheering. The two of them linger together a bit longer. This allows Garrus to feel like it is a date and not a honeypot mission with Shepard as the bait. How he wishes he could do more to help her but he has to rely on Saren and Nihlus for that.
Soon 1820 arrives and Garrus pulls Shepard towards him. “And this is where I take my leave.” he tells her.
“I only have 3 minutes to seduce him and I haven’t seen him most of the party! Help me!” Shepard panics.
“He will come find you the second I leave. Don’t worry. You have already seduced him.”
“But I didn’t do anything.” She hisses at him. He smiles at her. She has no idea the effect she has on people. But if he doesn’t leave soon Hock won't have the courage to approach her. She needs to be alone and seemingly vulnerable. He kisses her like a human would and leaves.
Archangel left. He just fucking left her there. Alone. In the middle of a party. And she hasn’t done anything! This mission is a failure and it’s all her fault for falling for such a —-
“Admiring the view?” Hock’s sleazy accent jolts her out of her internal monologue. She turns away from the sculpture she was pretending to look at towards the source of the voice.
“Yes. I have never seen such a statue before. Is it drell?” She asks.
“Why yes it is. Most people can’t determine that since there are so few drell artists in the universe. You have quite the eye Miss Gunn.”
Her art history degree wasn’t a waist - take that mom!
“You have quite the collection of rare and valuable works Mr. Hock. They are lovely.” She goes back to looking at the statue.
“Well if you like that I have a beautiful piece by a turian artist in my bedroom. Come let me show you.”
Shepard is floored. She couldn’t believe it was that easy. She didn’t do anything!
“I love turian pieces. I would love to see your artwork.” She follows him to his room. There sitting over the bed is a piece by Volena Vakarian. Well if Garrus knew this he’d be livid. “It’s quite the —-”
He pulls her into him and starts to kiss her. He drags his hands over her body. It’s all she can do not to bite off the tongue when he sticks it in her mouth. Instead she takes out her syringe and stabs him in the neck with the needle. Probably harder than it needs to be. He hits the floor before he can even register what happened.
She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and gets to work. She steps over him and opens the window. Saren and Nihlus jump in through the window and make their way over to the unconscious form of Donovan Hock.
“Good work Shepard” Saren praises her. She tries her best not to preen too noticeably under his praise.
The turians lift Hock out the window onto a small landing. The landing is next to a cliff where their transport is waiting for them. They get Hock most of the way to the shuttle before the shooting starts.
There were a few men stationed on the landing outside the window incase of break ins. Nihlus and Saren dealt with them quickly and quietly. What they didn’t know was that one of them left for the bathroom before the turians took out their counterparts and seeing all their coworkers dead called for help.
Shepard only had a pistol hidden in her dress so the heavy fighting had to have come from the two turians. She stayed in the back of the fight with Hock as protection. No way were they going to risk shooting the man who signs their paycheck.
A shadow fell over her and she turned in time to see a guard who came in through the window from Hock's room. His hands were poised to pistol whip her, again can’t risk shooting the boss, when a gunshot was heard and the man went down.
The fighting stopped and the two turian Spectres had their gun trained on a dark corner of the ceiling of the landing they were on. Jumping from his hiding place was Archangel himself wearing his armor and a smug smile.
“Do you ever get tired of killing the guys who try to kill me?” Shepard asks him.
“It’s a good thing I enjoy it.” He smiles at her.
“If you two are done flirting, maybe get on the ship.” Nihlus calls after them. They turn to see that Saren has loaded Hock and Nihlus is standing on the loading ramp waiting for them.
Shepard holds out her hand to Archangel. “Well?” She asks him.
“I better not. Still a wanted criminal after all.” He tells her.
“That’s for the best anyway. Don’t want you getting in my way.” Nihlus tells him as he puts his arm around Shepard’s waist.
“On second thought…” Garrus says and grabs Shepard from Nihlus and pulls her up the ramp with him.
Shepard turns to look at Nihlus and Nihlus winks at her.
~ On the ship that Nihlus and Saren use ~
Shepard looks at Archangel on the ship. She didn’t believe that she would ever get him to willingly get on a Spectre ship. Now there was a problem.
“So when I’m on board I usually sleep —”
“I don’t want to know where and with whom you sleep with.” Archangel cut her off.
“It’s just that there are only two rooms and —-”
“We will just use one of those,” he tells her. She gets a ping on her omnitool.
SpectreKryik: You can use my room. just wash the sheets when you are done.
“This way.” Shepard takes Garrus’ arm and brings him to Nihlus’ room. Once inside and the door was closed Garrus ran his talon over her skin.
“That’s better. I wanted to touch you all night.” He kissed her then. She leaned into the kiss running her hands over his nice suit.
“I still don’t know how you got Hock to come to see me. I didn’t do anything.” She breathed.
“You don’t see how beautiful you are. We were at his party, at his house. To him he was the most important person there. As the most important person at his party he believed he deserved the best. When I refused to do business with him he hated me. Wanted to get back at me. When I showed you off with our tango he knew you were the best thing he would ever lay his beady little eyes on. So he set his sights on you.”
“So I was just a trophy that you showed off. I didn’t do anything after all.” She realized.
“That isn’t how I see you.” He clarified.
“Isn’t it? That’s how Nihlus got you on the ship. He pretended to go for me so you got jealous. Your trophy would get taken away from you. I’m just the Spectre you bedded. A good trophy for the vigilante Archangel.” She left the room in a huff.
“Shepard!” He called after her but she didn’t turn around. He chased her down and grabbed her arm. “That isn’t how I see you.” He said again. “That isn’t how anyone who knows you sees you. Can’t you see? You are wonderful, beautiful yes, but with a spark in you. The way you fight it's like you are the spirit of flame come alive. Dancing, and dangerous, and joyful, with heat and fire. It’s the same when you dance or make love or anything you do. You can have anyone in the whole galaxy if you wanted them and they still would never be good enough for you.” He is panting and out of breath.
“Is that how you see me?” She asks him in a whisper.
“Spirits, that’s how anyone sees you.”
“Anyone is the galaxy huh.”
“Any one of them.”
“What if I want you?”
“I’m not good enough for you.”
“What if I wanted you anyway?”
“Then I would be the most honored turian in the universe.” He presses his forehead to hers. She stays that way for a while.
“So are we dating now? Mates?” She asks him.
“No not yet. You deserve better than what I gave you so far. Give me time and I’ll give you a proper date and a proper confession. Make you proud to be my mate. I should also probably tell you my name. Garrus. Garrus Vakarian.”
“Jane. Jane Shepard.”
“It’s nice to finally make your acquaintance Jane.”
“And yours Garrus.”