Forgive the Insubordination - Chapter Eleven

Title: Forgive the Insubordination
Author: mpissott
Game: Mass Effect
Characters/Pairings: Garrus Vakarian/Femshep (Noelle Shepard)
Disclaimer: All recognizable content belongs to Bioware.

Garrus, Shepard and Wrex stepped off the Normandy and made their way to Flux to see Anderson.  He wondered what Anderson wanted, but his mind was entertained by other thoughts.  Like what the hell would have happened if Joker wouldn’t have interrupted him and Shepard.  Of course, he knew what would’ve happened.  They were going to kiss.  What Garrus couldn’t understand was why.  Noelle Shepard was beautiful, funny, intelligent, and someone that any man or woman in the galaxy would want.  Garrus couldn’t figure out what exactly Shepard could see in him.  But she definitely saw something.

It turned out that Anderson wanted to discuss a plan with Shepard to break the Normandy out of its lockdown.  This involved Anderson putting himself on the line.  Garrus had to admire his determination.  Now, Shepard and the rest of the crew were waiting in the cockpit with Joker; as soon as the shackles were released, the Normandy would be through the relay.  Shepard was ready to celebrate.  She poured everyone on the crew a shot, telling everyone to drink as the ship went through the relay.  She certainly had an interesting mentality for what could be their final mission.

The ship made it through the relay, and the whole crew cheered; Anderson came through.  Shepard took her bottle of rum and shouted, “Now, if you all don’t mind, I’ll be in my quarters having a celebration of my own!”  She bumped her hip against Garrus and said, “If any of you wanna stop by, be my guest.  But tomorrow is gonna be a busy day.”

Was that his cue to visit her?  He thought so.  He returned to his area by the Mako to get changed into more casual clothes, and then took the elevator up to the mess hall.  As he was walking to Shepard’s quarters, he heard increasingly loud music coming from them.  He stopped before opening the door to listen to her singing.

Ooh, crazy's what they think about me
Ain't gonna stop cause they tell me so
Cause 99 miles per hour baby,
Is how fast that I like to go.

He laughed at her enthusiasm.  It almost prevented him from walking in entirely, but he had to see if she was dancing.  When he opened the door he expected her to stop whatever she was doing to greet him.  Instead, she saw him, took a sip from her bottle, and continued to sing.

Can't keep up with my rhythm
Though they keep trying.
Too quick for the lines they throw.
I walk to the sound of my own drum,
It goes, they go, we go, hey yeah yeah yeah

While she was singing, she decided to dance over to him and take his hand, forcing him to dance along with her.  He could tell she had a lot to drink, so he put his hand on the small of her back and pulled her toward him to steady her.  In response, she put her arm around his neck, relinquishing the bottle of alcohol and putting it on the table.  She continued to sing the upbeat song to him, and he danced with her, matching the sway of her hips.

“Shepard, just how drunk are you?”  Garrus joked.  He knew she liked to drink, but had never actually seen her drunk.

“Well Garrus,” she started, “let’s just say very.  I’m very happily, comfortably drunk.”  She smiled at him; he believed her.

“I didn’t expect this amount of fanfare from you.”

“Ah, it’s better than getting depressed worrying about all the people we could lose,” Shepard whispered.  “That’s scary.  It’s reality.  I’m okay with this being my reality, if only for the night.”

Of course she was worried.  He knew that the cheering and joking was a side she showed everyone.  This side, the tender, worried and soft side of Shepard, was reserved just for Garrus.  And while he didn’t want her to feel that way, he was glad he got to see this special dimension of Noelle Shepard.

“Noelle,” he started, “I’m not gonna lie.  We could lose some people; we also could lose no one--”

“Shh, shh,” she whispered, putting her finger to his mouth to quiet him.  “We don’t need to talk about it tonight.  I don’t want one of your uplifting speeches this time.  I just want you to be here with me, to dance with me.”

And that’s exactly what they did.  Song after song, Garrus held her, danced and laughed with her.  He was glad he could be there for her in any way at all.  Even she needed support, and Garrus wanted nothing more than to support her.

After many upbeat songs, a slow one came on.  Shepard laid her head on his chest and swayed to the lyrics.

Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand
But I still need love 'cause I'm just a man
These nights never seem to go to plan
I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand?

“You know,” Shepard spoke up. “I knew from the moment I met you that you were different.  Not just from other turians, from everyone.”

“I feel the same about you,” Garrus responded, lightly brushing her hair.  “You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”

Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me

“Garrus, you’re the best friend a girl could ever ask for.”

“Shepard, I only give you what you deserve.”

Why am I so emotional?
No, it's not a good look, gain some self-control
And deep down I know this never works
But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt

While the song continued, Shepard looked up at him, and strengthened the grip of her hands behind his neck.  She had tears in her eyes.  She was just looking at him.  She pulled his head down to meet hers and whispered, “I’ve wanted to do this for a really long time.”

Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me

And before Garrus knew it, they were kissing.  She kissed him softly at first.  It was like nothing Garrus had ever experienced before.  Her lips were so soft.  He wanted more.  As though she sensed it, she deepened the kiss.  He felt her tongue dance in his mouth, and he lifted her up.  After a few minutes, Shepard drew back, resting her forehead on his.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she muttered.  “But if I didn’t do that, I know I’d regret it.”

“I’m glad you did,” Garrus replied, smiling so big that his face hurt.  He lowered her to the ground, giving her a loving peck on the lips, followed by soft kisses on both of her cheeks.

This caused her to blush.  She took his hand and attempted to pull him onto her bed, which shocked Garrus.  Shepard could tell, so she said, “Damn Garrus, I’m not that easy!  Just lay with me tonight, okay?  I need you here.”
Garrus was eager to oblige.  Shepard laid on her side, facing the opposite direction of Garrus.  He laid down beside her and put his arms around her, allowing her to find the perfect space for her body to nestle into his.  He gave her one last kiss on the cheek and whispered.

“Noelle, you’re beautiful.”  And before long, they were asleep.