A/N: Hello people! I'm back! And not a year later like last time! Fair warning, this is a giant non action chapter which means lots of shenanigans and character stuff. It also has some sexual stuff, I didn't and won't go as far as to say graphic things like person inserts thing into other persons thing, rinse and repeat and then literally rinse but there will be suggestive things that will let you fill in the descriptions on your own. Ok? We clear on that? We're all adults here, minus the curious teens who are all excited that there may be some dirty things in this chapter. That being said, go head and make sure nobody is home, dim the lights, and shamefully place this chapter onto your eyes.

Chapter 28

-Kill Me-

Our lips part and we find ourselves just staring at each other, still holding one another in a hug which I'll be honest is growing on me. Same with the kissing too, this is all just… well it's a good feeling. I've had this feeling before but this is different, this isn't some girl I've known for a few weeks it's a girl who I've known for years basically. This is deeper than a sudden infatuation for me, for her I'm not so sure but all in good time.

It's been a good minute now of just looking into each other's eyes, and as much as I enjoy her big blue eyes my need to say something clever is gnawing at me.

"So," I smirk, tilting my head and raising a brow. "Do I still owe you?"

Liara eyes flash down for a second before looking back up at me, returning with a coy smile of her own.

"Is this how you plan on repaying me?"

"For now." I shrug. "I'm sure eventually if that won't cut it I'll have to step it up a little."

Liaras gaze wavers slightly, going a little blank while deep in thought until it goes back to the curious twinkly that I'm growing fonder of by the minute.

"I'll take that as a no." I answer for her with a smirk. "I guess I'll have to try again tomorrow on the citadel, say over dinner? Sound good?"

Liara nods, not breaking eye contact.

"Good," I smile. "I'll find us a nice restaurant."

"Ok." She breathes. "Just tell me a time and place."

I lean in quickly and steal a kiss, pulling back before I get too attached. "I'll do that."

I turn and walk to the door, stepping through it and making my way to the armory in the vehicle bay. As I walk I notice something though, something that's never really came with the first kiss thing for me.

My heart is pounding.

This is not normal for me, not one bit. Sure everyone gets a bit nervous but I can control myself, my heart shouldn't be trying to beat its way out of my ribcage right now. What the fuck is happening to me? Last I checked I was a rock, unmoving, unbreakable, but now I'm brought back years to the very first kiss and how nervous I was.

Yet...

I can't seem to shake this smile, even after making my way all the way to the armor lockers. It's actually starting to hurt my cheeks, I even bring my fingers up to my lips to see if they can even move or if they're just stuck like this now.

"What's up with you?"

I turn to see Dylan staring at me, looking very concerned. I can't help it, I let out a chuckle, well maybe a manly giggle if anything before sighing. "Nothing man, absolutely nothing."

"Okaaay…" He says slowly, still giving me a weird look.

"What's wrong, Mav having one of his crazy spells again?" Alex suddenly speaks up, appearing on my other side.

"Crazy spells? What are you on about?"

"Yeah he is." Dylan nods.

"What?!" I exclaim.

"What did he do now?"

"I didn't do anything!"

"He's just standing there, covered in blood while giggling and touching his lips."

I look down at my blood soaked armor in realization. "Ohhhh." I sigh quietly. "I see now."

"That is, uhh, really weird." Alex nods slowly, seemingly at a loss for words. "Even for you."

"Yeah I'm not even gunna try to explain myself." I shrug in admittance. "Funnier this way anyways."

I start to take apart my armor and lazily pack it in my locker, I'm getting a new set anyways so this is going in the trash so who cares how I put it away. I get down to my shredded under armor and take half of it off, basically making it into a pair of pants. I note the dried blood all over me, dirt, sweat, white bandages with spots of dark reddish brown.

I should take a shower.

"Hey can I talk to you?" Dylan speaks up, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah man, what's up?"

"So I took your advice." He starts, leaning on the table. "I asked Ash if she wanted to go get dinner on the Citadel."

I smirk at him and give him a quick pat on the shoulder. "Good for you man! See? What'd I tell you, you just have to ask."

"Yeah you were right," Dylan nods, a small smile playing on his face. "We're going tomorrow, I picked out a decent looking restaurant that's not too fancy but not a dive either."

"Sounds like Ash's type of place, you've thought this out."

"Yeah, I need to get something to wear I guess, all I have is my armor and my Alliance casual clothes." He thinks out loud. "I'm more worried about Virmire actually, it's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Virmire?" I ask, I'm well aware of why he'd be worried about Virmire but I should keep up an oblivious appearance. "Why?"

"Why?" Dylan says, face twisting up like a knot as if I've said something beyond ridiculous. "We're going against a huge base filled with geth and krogan…"

"Yeah, true enough." I nod. "It'll be tough to get everyone through it alive."

"The Alliance can't help us, and the Council is a bunch of useless… well, you know." He says, letting me fill in the blank. "What I'm getting at is can you help at all? You said you had a military branch right?"

"You know what?" I say as I straighten up and activate my Omni-tool. "You're absolutely right, we do have a military branch. Thank you for the idea Dylan, I'll see what I can do."

With that I call Pac, waiting a few second before he picks up.

"-Maverick.-" Pac greats me, his mandibles spread in a smile. "-Good to see you, how have you been?-"

"Can't complain Pac Man, can not complain." I smile back. "I've gotta question for you."

"-Can't complain huh?-" he says skeptically. "-Is that why there are cuts and burns around your eyes?-"

"Ahh that's just from asari commandos and rachni." I wave off. "Nothing big."

"-Rachni?-" Pac mutters in shock.

"It's all in my reports, you should check them out after this call." I tell him. "But something more important is coming, have you gotten to test a massive deployment of troops yet?"

"-No, I haven't.-"

"Do you want to?"

Pac pauses for a second before grinning almost evilly. "-What do have for me?-"

"Large geth base and krogan cloning facility on the planet Virmire, we'll land there within a few days. I'll let you know exactly when when I figure out myself. There's also an STG detachment on site that I recommend you contact and work with." I say, almost all in one breath. "What can you give me?"

"-Shock and awe.-" Pac answers simply.

I suddenly get a rush of excitement and smile at Pac. "Get it done Pac, I'll be in contact with you for more details."

I hang up the line and smile, happy that Icarus might be able to change some canon around. With any luck at all we should be able to save Kaidan and Ashley, the additional troops giving Shepard ample time to get both of them.

I reach my locker and reach inside, grabbing some fresh clothes and plopping them on the floor. I reach further into the locker and grab my medicine, loading up a shot into the needle and hovering over a vein. A sharp hiss and a prick later I pack it all away, ignoring the questions in my head about my own mortality. Instead I grab my clothes off the floor and make my way into the showers.

I peel off my shredded under armor and toss it into the garbage, making my way over to an empty shower. Once I'm in I decide to take off all of my bandages, which is a lot. Some off my hand, off my calf, and off my entire mid-section. Once they're all off I turn on the water and watch as the dark, dirty, and bloody, water pools at my feet and circles the drain.

I really need to stop getting hurt, as soon as possible preferably. Every single mission so far I've gotten hurt and I'm getting sick of it. I think it's time I slow down a little and plan out my attacks, pick and choose my fights. Long range engagements? No, not my style. Close quarters? More my style. Guerrilla style close quarters? Sign me up!

I step out of the shower and make a mental note to look up biotic fighting styles and strategies when I get a chance, after I look up a nice restaurant for dinner with Liara.

I slip on my underwear and start trying to put on my pants while hopping towards the door. I get one leg on and open the door while using the frame to balance myself, bumping into someone before getting my other leg on.

"There you are." Shepard sighs, sounds like she's been looking for me for a bit.

"Hey Shepard." I nod, buttoning up my pants and flinging my shirt over my shoulder. "I was just going to get bandaged by Chakwas, what's up?"

"First I just wanted to make sure we're ok, you and I." Shepard starts. "Just with what happened on Peak Fifteen, with the VI you know?"

"Oh yeah, we're fine." I scoff, dismissing her worries as quick as I could. "You're just doing your job, I get that. So was I, I'm sure you get that. I was mad, you were mad but it all passed. No worries. But let's try to avoid it in the future."

Shepard raises her brow, seemingly confused that I gave a positive answer. "Just like that?"

"I'm a rational man Shepard." I smirk. "Despite my headstrong attitude I'm also fairly understanding, I was raised to think about the other side of the story before acting."

"Sounds like you were raised by some smart parents."

"Parent." I correct, getting an understanding nod back. "Was that all or can I go get wrapped up?" I say quickly, hopefully moving past any of Shepards probing questions about my past.

"Just one more thing." She says, this time I notice her get a little sheepish and vulnerable. Hmm, this could only be about one thing. "I was wondering, well just asking really if uhm, you can't tell anyone this!" She says louder now, pointing at me threateningly.

"The point, Shepard." I nod with an eye roll.

"Right." She breathes, preparing herself before speaking again. "How do you ask someone out on a date?"

"I'm sorry," I smirk, containing my laughter. "what did you just say?"

"Don't you dare laugh." Shepard snarls, glaring at me. "It's a serious question!"

"Oh yes," I cough, disguising a chuckle. "very serious!"

"Matticks!"

"I'm sorry!" I exclaim, waving my arms at her. "It's just… Really?! You've never asked anyone out before?"

"No." Shepard admits.

"How, the fuck, have you never asked someone out?" I ask, trying to take her seriously. "You're like thirty!"

"There wasn't time for me to properly date when I was jumping station to station growing up." She shrugs. "I've gone home with guys, or the other way around, but I've never really been on a proper date."

"Well that's just fucking adorable!" I smile, putting my hands on my cheeks. Shepard just stares daggers. "Well, seeing as you're not in a joking mood I have a pretty good tip for you, works for me every time."

"What is it?" Shepard asks, almost desperately.

"What you do is, it's really simple, you just have to walk up to Kaidan and start a simple conversation. Ok? Once you've got that done, all you have to do is… ask him out."

I'm greeted with another glare.

"It's not that easy, asshole."

"It is." I shake my head at her. "The worst thing he'll do is say no and he won't do that because he likes you too."

"I've tried just asking!" Shepard yells, throwing her hands up in frustration. "But the words just don't come out!"

"How about this," I say, stopping her and formulating a plan. "when do we get to the Citadel?"

"A few hours."

"Why don't we get the whole crew to go out tonight? You take all of the girls to like a club or something equally boring, have a few drinks and loosen up. I'll take the guys to a bar that's actually fun, have a few bevs, shoot the shit, have a good time. Then we'll all meet up somewhere in between, like Chora's, and all have a party. A few drinks in you, high on a good time, it'll be way easier to suggest you and him do something some time. Sound like a plan?"

Shepard looks to the side, mulling over my suggestion for a few seconds before turning back. "Ok, it's better than what I've been doing so far."

"Which is nothing." I remind her. "Now before I go, how long are we on leave? We've got tonight and tomorrow right?"

"Yeah, we're leaving the Citadel at around ten at night I think." She answers. "It should get us to Virmire the next day, maybe around noon."

"Perfect." I nod, turning and walking out of the locker room.

I spend the next few minutes being chewed out by Chakwas about being a burden for any medical staff while looking up a nice restaurant on the Citadel for Liara and me to get dinner. I end up getting a table at a small hole in the wall place that has a dark, intimate, candle lit kind of feeling to it. There's only one problem left for me to solve.

I need clothes.

All I have now is my 'casual' clothes and some ruined armor, no dress casual or even regular dress clothes. I need some clothes now, and I know just the guy.

It doesn't take Reilly O'Brien from Gentlemans Finest long to message me back, and within minutes I've worked out what I'm going to wear. Dress shirt with a loose tie and rolled up sleeves and a pair of jeans for the bar and Chora's, dark blue suit for dinner with Liara. I sit down at the table in the mess hall and lean back in my chair.

"Well look at me." I mutter to myself with a smirk. "Getting shit done."

The Normandy docks at the Citadel and most of the crew meanders out into the wards. I stay on the dock for a moment to check my Omni-tool map, working out how I'm going to get to warehouse one.

I put down my Omni-tool and start to walk towards the elevator to the right ward until I hear someone call out my name.

"James!"

I turn and smile, crossing my arms as Liara stops in front of me. "Yes Miss T'Soni?"

"I was wondering if I could join you to…" Liara pauses, realizing that she has no idea where I'm going. "Wherever you're going." She finished slowly.

"To pick up a package from an Icarus warehouse and get some clothes?" I raise my brow before shrugging. "Sure, I don't see why not."

Liara smiles and starts to walk next to me as we make our way to the warehouse. The walk shouldn't be far luckily, long enough so we wouldn't run out of things to talk about.

"What are you getting at the warehouse?" Liara asks, starting off first.

"Couple things actually," I answer. "new armor, new Omni-tool, and a project I was working on."

"That odd looking knife?"

"Yeah." I chuckle. "The odd looking knife, it's called a Wingstick though."

"What made you call it a Wingstick?"

"Honestly?" I ask, getting a crisp nod and smile from Liara. "A video game."

"Really?"

"Yeah." I groan, rubbing the back of my head. "Despite being in charge of a special ops task group of a huge organization I'm actually a huge nerd."

"Are you now?" Liara smirks. "I didn't take you for the nerdy type."

"Yeah that's me, behind the drinking and fighting I'm a closeted nerd." I admit proudly. "I love movies and video games, I would look up sciencey stuff like space and new technologies, surf the net for dumb or funny things you name it."

"That surprises me." Liara smiles.

"Oh what?" I smile back. "You not ok with a nerdy guy?"

"Oh no, it's, uhm, cute." She says shyly, looking down slightly.

"So I'm cute eh?" I smirk, my smirk turning into a giant grin when Liara starts to blush. It's really cute the way she blushes and gets nervous and flustered, I can't help but smile when it happens.

"I…" She stammers.

"Liara." I say, stopping her and putting my hands on her shoulders. "It's ok to think I'm cute, we humans take that as a compliment so don't worry."

Liaras shoulders relax at my words before she talks. "I'm sorry." She starts, but I interrupt her.

"Don't apologize for saying I'm cute." I say, starting to walk again. "Besides, I'm just trying to keep up with you."

I shit eating grin curls my lips as I see Liara blush again and even sigh heavily. "Something wrong?"

"I just don't know what to say when you say those things!" She says, clearly flustered.

"What things?" I press, enjoying myself thoroughly.

"When you say I'm pretty or cute, or anything nice for that matter!" She goes on, both of us stopping again. "I'm not experienced with… this and I don't…" Her voice hitches and slows when I reach a hand up to her face, another hand snaking around her back and pulling her closer "know how to…" She continues, but stops when I pull her into a kiss. I can feel her whole body relax and press against mine and the second it does, and she's now no longer flustered, I pull away.

"Don't worry about it." I tell her, smiling wryly. "You'll get used to it."

Liara smiles back at me and starts to walk again. "So where is this warehouse?"

"Just up this street actually." I nod, looking down the street trying to spy the warehouse. "It'll be weird going back there."

"Why would it be weird?"

"I haven't been there since me and the other Icarus CEOs took over." I explain. "The last time I was there I was massively in debt, did some questionable things that had to be done regardless. Just a lot of memories I guess."

"You don't seem like they really bug you, these memories." Liara points out. "Despite that they seem… unpleasant."

"Yeah," I agree. "not my style to be bugged by many things. I learned to not worry about things too much, no sense in it."

"Your father?" Liara asks, hesitant to bring him up.

"Smart." I smirk. "An attractive quality to have miss T'Soni."

Liara smiles slightly while she blushes. "That's cheating." She says suddenly, lifting a knowing brow and grinning.

"What's cheating?" I ask, though I know what she's talking about.

"I've noticed you avoid questions by distracting the person who asks them." She goes on, her grin becoming slightly sinister as she picks apart my behavioral patterns. "With me you flatter, with others you use humor, anything that could work for a certain individual you figure it out and use it to your advantage."

"One might call that resourceful." I muse, unable to help the giant grin on my face. Am I annoyed that someone's figured this out? A little. The fact that it's Liara negates that though, see I wasn't lying when I said being smart is attractive…

"And who's that?" She asks.

"My father." I answer simply, realizing it'd be less trouble to just answer honestly. "He taught me lots of things, made me who I am and I honestly owe everything to him."

"Sounds like you were close."

"Yeah, we were." I smiled, thinking back when I was on earth. "He was pretty much my hero, nothing could keep him from getting something done."

Liara started to open her mouth to ask another question but I interrupted her. "We're here." I nod, opening the door to the warehouse.

We walked in and I noticed that there were a few people waiting in the lobby, more than I've ever seen anyways. There were also some Icarus logos scattered around, one of them on the dress of an asari sitting at Ailas desk.

"Hey." I nod when I get to her desk. "I'm here to pick up a package?"

The asari looks up at me, clearly frustrated from working so hard. "Everyone is here for a package sir, you're going to have to wait."

"Uhm, it's been waiting here for a while." I try to explain. "I used to work here, just give me the bay number and pickup ID and I'll go get myself."

"You used to work here?" The asari asks, not believing me.

"Unfortunately." I smirk, finally getting some sort of a smile from the secretary. "Look I really need that package, sooner I get it I can get back to my Icarus business and the sooner you can get back to your Icarus business."

"You're an Icarus employee?" She asks, again seeming like she not believing me. "What's your ID?"

"A oh one c." I recite, immediately getting an uneasy glance.

"You're a Contractor?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Go right ahead then, I'm not sure why you're asking permission." She says slowly, as if she's surprised that I was polite.

"Just because I'm a Contractor doesn't mean I can't be nice."

"From past experiences with a Contractor that's exactly what it means." She huffs.

I piece this puzzle together pretty quick. "That Contractor a quarian?" I get a nod, making me smile. "Black suit? Acts like his shit doesn't stink?" Another nod. "Yeah if he ever comes in here again give him a hard time, like seriously fuck with him. Tell him you're under my authority and you'll be fine, I promise."

I walk to the door to the warehouse, signaling Liara to follow me. She does and I walk into the warehouse floor, navigating through it by memory and coming to a large military style crate.

"It's bigger than I thought it'd be." I mutter as I stare at the case. "Let's find out why."

I activate a small panel on the crate and it unseals, with a lift of a lid it's open.

A full set of armor is laid out for me and it reminds me of the style that the TAC team wore. There are dark grey plates covering the chest, shoulders, arms and legs. Joints are left plate free for maneuverability minus knee and elbow plates, the under armor is black with a hexagonal pattern. The whole set of armor is covered with little labels and I even notice that there are ones that list my name, rank, and medical information. Then there are the Contractor white Icarus logos, one on the chest and the rest small and discreet. The last thing I notice is the helmet. It's dark grey to match the plating of the armor, geometric like a stealth bomber, the visor reminds me of glossy black ski goggles but thinner and keeping the angular style of the helmet. I smirk when I see Maverick written on the right jawline and A-01-C on the left.

"It looks intimidating." Liara notes as I reach in and pick up the helmet.

"Yeah," I smile. "it looks badass!"

I look at the helmet for a second before noticing there is a tightly packed second set of armor underneath the first, I'm assuming for spare parts, as well as multiple sets of under armor.

"What's the rest of it?" Liara asks, deciding to start digging through the crate on her own.

"Here's my Omni-tool." I point out, picking up the package and reading the label. "Hmm, can't wait to get this put in…"

"What's in here?" Liara asks, sounding excited as if it's Christmas or something.

"I don't know." I shake my head, glancing at the unmarked box. "Open it!"

While Liara opens the box I reach in and find some casual clothes, some grey shirts with a large slightly darker grey Icarus logo and some military style black pants.

"It's your Wingstick." Liara speaks up, handing me the open box

"Oh cool!" I exclaim, taking the boxing and pulling out the sleek metal tri bladed boomerang.

"This datapad seems to say what everything does and how it works, it requires your fingerprint to unlock it though."

I place the Wingstick in the box and take the datapad, unlocking it and briefly skimming through it before Liara speaks up yet again.

"You have to try this on!" She says excitedly.

I look up to see an Icarus version of a military dress blues jacket, grey with darker grey detailing.

"Where did you find that?" I laugh, taking the jacket as Liara digs excitedly for more pieces of the uniform. The jacket actually appears to have Kevlar padding in it, and an odd decorative, or even practical maybe, darker pauldron on the left shoulder. Despite being a dress uniform for fancy occasions it seems like it's still designed for me to do my job.

"Goddess!" Liara giggles, reaching deeper into the crate. "I lied, you need to try this on first!"

"What the fuck is that?!" I moan, staring at the beret in Liaras hands. "I'm not wearing a fucking beret! Icarus logo or not!"

"Please!" Liara begs, a smile plastered on her face. "Just once!"

"Fine." I smirk, snatching the beret and glaring at it. "One time!"

I slide the beret onto my head and make sure the Icarus logo is facing forward, once I put my hands down I put on the stupidest angry face I can while looking up at the dumb hat on my head. My moment of stupidity fades though, or technically gets sealed forever, when I hear a sound.

Click!

"Did you just take a picture?!" I stammer, taking the hat off my head and staring at Liara, who is looking at her Omni-tool and trying to hide her laugh with her hand. "Liara!" I yell, rushing up beside her and cringing when I see the picture.

"You look ridiculous!" She giggles as I groan at the picture, my dumb face captured at the worst moment with that dumb fucking hat on my head.

"Delete that!" I plead, half cringing and half laughing at the horrible picture.

"Why would I do such a thing?" She ask, a smugness to her voice as the Omni-tool fades. She turns and begins to tap her chin in thought, pacing as she talks aloud. "I think some of the crew might want to see this, I could even make some money off it."

I walk up behind her and slid a hand on her waist, turning her to face me and immediately kissing her before she can react. I open my eyes and see hers are closed, engrossed in the kiss fully while I slowly lower the beret onto her head. When it finally plops on her head her eyes open to see mine, staring at her with a gleam of mischief.

She pulls away and her eyes narrow at me and her mouth twists unamused to one side while don a cocky grin, the grin gets wider though and so do her eyes when she hears a noise.

Click!

Liaras mouth gapes at my extended hand, Omni-tool camera facing our profiles. She glares back at me when I chuckle at the new picture.

"Delete it."

"Naa."

"James…"

"Yes, miss T'Soni?"

"Delete the picture."

"I think I'll keep it." I laugh, looking at the picture again. "I like it."

To be honest the picture isn't that bad, our faces are an inch apart and Liaras unimpressed look and my shit eating grin make me laugh. Not to mention, besides the dopey beret, the camera caught pretty good angles of us both. It's actually a great picture.

"Ok, but I'm keeping yours." Liara shrugs, pulling me against her.

"Deal." I smile, leaning in for a quick kiss.

Liaras Omni-tool beeps and she begrudgingly pulls away to look at it, cursing quietly as she reads the alert.

"I have to go to my appointment at the seamstress." She frowns, her frown leaving as she looks up at me. "Do you want to come with me?"

"As much as I'd like to see you try on all sorts of pretty little dresses," I say honestly, changing my tone to a disappointed one as I continue. "I need to get some clothes myself, and get this Omni-tool put in."

"Okay." Liara says, sounding a little disappointed. "I'll see you tonight then."

"Can't wait to see you all dressed up." I smirk playfully.

Liara smirks back and drapes her arms over my shoulders. "Anything you'd like to see me wear specifically?"

My brain immediately says 'nothing would be nice' but I decide to save saying that for a later date. "Little sexy black dress never goes out of style, but it doesn't matter to me as long as I get to see that pretty face of yours."

Liara blushes and after a few minutes of stalling we finally part ways. I pack everything back in the crate and when I do I find a set of dog tags, putting them on before sealing the crate and sending it to the Normandy.

The next few hours are spent at an Icarus recruitment office, which I didn't know existed but according to the datapad it does, getting my Omni-tool installed. They put a little chip in each wrist now, so I can access it from both which will be handy now that it comes with all of the military features like hacking programs and Omni-blades. I also got tattoos, which is now a standard for Icarus military. Nothing fancy, just small lettering that says my name, rank, and medical information on my left wrist, right ankle and right collarbone. Apparently it's in case the information on my armor is gone as well as my dog tags… or my arm or leg. Makes sense to me, can't be too careful.

Next stop was my clothes, taking a few more hours getting them fitted perfectly to my body so I look as good as possible. Reilly made sure that I did, and I'll admit the man does amazing work. My old suit from earth now looks shittier than my dress casual clothes from the future! But I'm not complaining.

Next stop though? The pub with the boys!

Wrex, Dylan, Art and I all walk into the pub off the same taxi, a very cramped taxi. It doesn't take us long to find the rest of the guys, Alex, Garrus, Ian, and Kaidan, all sitting around a table with a few drinks already on spread around.

We walk towards them and I wave to the bartender, getting her attention and holding up four fingers hoping she'll understand and bring four beers to the table.

"Boys!" I exclaim as I pull up a chair, smirking at the lot of them. "Haven't started without me now have you?"

"We knew you would catch up in a few minutes." Alex laughs along with the rest of the crew.

"Funny stuff." I scoff, taking a seat next to Garrus. Doing so gets an uneasy glance but when I take my beer from the bartender who's made her way over and tip it towards him. "Calm down Vakarian, pubs neutral ground so let's have some fun tonight!"

Garrus looks at me glass and shrugs, clinking his own against mine. "Deal, Matticks."

"So!" I shout, taking a mouthful of my brew and looking around. "What are we talking about?"

"Well, we were talking about Owens and Williams." Kaidan fills in, pausing to drink his own beer. "He seems to have the usual worries about getting into a new relationship and we're offering ideas to help him."

"Bad ideas!" Dylan speaks up, pointing at Alex which makes him raise his arms in protest.

"Great ideas!" Alex shouts back.

"Hey, you know what makes ideas better?" I ask, getting some shrugs. "Drinking."

575 credits worth of alcohol later.

"You know what you have to do!" Wrex roars, slamming his fist on the table before pointing at Dylan and leaning forward. "You need to find her old mate and kill him!"

"What?!" Dylan exclaims, outraged by the idea.

"Yes!" Garrus joins in, getting a glare from Dylan and laughs from everyone else.

"For sure."

"It's the logical choice Owens."

"It is not!"

"You should bring his body to Ash! That way she knows you're better than him!"

"This human gets it!"

"I'm not murdering her ex!"

"We'll help you!"

"Garrus and I could find out if he's on the Citadel, know some blokes on C-Sex who owe us favors."

"I could check with some Alliance contacts, he could be on earth."

"Heh heh, Ian said C-Sex."

"Nobody's looking anything up anything because I'm not murdering anyone."

"C-Sex? Did I really?"

"That's something you'll never see, Owens. Sex!"

"Not unless you challenge her mate and defeat him in a bloody battle to the DEATH!"

"Fuck, Wrex! You broke another glass, you don't have to slam your fist down every time you say death."

"It's not my fault they're weak! They should call them Salarians! Right?"

"You want to say you're drinking your beer out of a Salarian?"

"I'm not following, are you just calling the glasses Salarians or making glasses out of Salarians?"

"Making them! You can make lots of things with a dead Salarian! Utensils out of the bones, a bowl out of the skull, organs for lunch!"

"Like the Indians, the krogan waste no part of the Salarian."

"How the fuck did we start talking about this?"

"Wrex broke a glass."

"Another one?"

"Guys, the girls are on their way to Chora's. We gotta go."

"Thank god."

"This conversation isn't over human, you will kill her old mate! I'll be damned if I'm going to work with you otherwise!"

"No! I'm not killing him!"

The male half of the Normandy make their way into Chora's, some of us bumping into things on the way.

"Shepard!" Wrex cheers!

"Wrex, had a few to drink?" Shepard smirks.

"I did! Tell Owens he has to kill Williams ex mate."

"I will not." Shepard smirks, patting Wrex on the shoulder.

"Mav!" I here Alex shout, looking at him before catching the beer tossed towards me.

"Cheers!" I nod back turning to Shepard who's now in front of me.

"You clean up alright Matticks." Shepard raises her brow to me.

I look back at her, noting the dress she's wearing and smiling at her. "Could say the same thing to you Shepard, very pretty! Didn't know you could pull off the whole not wearing armor look!"

"Thank you!" Shepard curtsies. "Have fun at the bar?"

"Yeah, we did." I say, drinking from my beer while looking around for someone. "Have fun at the club?"

"I think Liara went to the washroom." Shepard smirks, noticing me looking for her. "And yes we had fun."

"Can't imagine how you did." I roll my eyes. "And thanks for the tip. Ready to talk to Kaidan?"

Shepards shoulders tense a bit, but not as much as normal when I bring this up so that's a good sign. "I haven't had that much to drink yet." She admits with a nervous chuckle.

"Well drink up!" I say, tipping my bottle at her. "Because it's happening tonight, I'll make sure of it."

"Thanks." Shepard sighs, sounding relieved. "I find it hard to focus so if you could do that for me I'd appreciate it."

"Shepard you'll have my undivided atten-" I don't get to finish before a blue body slams against me and bear hugs the air out of me.

"James!" Liara smiles, beaming up at me with very rosy, or I guess violet for her, cheeks. "Hi!" She grins, giggling as she rocks back and forth.

"Hey Liara!" I smile. "Had a few to drink did we?"

"I did!" She exclaims, setting her arms on my shoulders and clasping her hands together before leaning back. "Lieutenant Williams, I mean Ashley," she corrects herself. "she gave me some iced teas from an elongated island from earth, they taste really good!"

"Long Island Ice Tea?" I ask her, still smiling and taking in the tipsy asari. "How many did you, uhm, ha.. have?" I stammer, noticing that from my higher vantage I have very nice view of some blue cleavage. Normally, I'm polite enough not to stare or have it manifest a speech impediment, but the little black dress Liaras wearing is doing me in. It's a bit low cut, sure but it's still Liara so it's pretty modest but with her arms pressed closer together while she hangs off my neck and almost a foot in height difference it basically looks like she's trying to push her boobs out of her dress.

"Four!" She says proudly, her cute drunk grin growing wider.

"Hmm, first time drinking?"

"No," she shakes her head at me, still grinning. "I've drank four times didn't you listen? When we find Ashley it'll be my fifth time!"

I glance over at Ashley sitting with the crew, an extra drink is next to the one in her hand.

"I heard." I laugh, grabbing her waist and turning her towards the crews table. "Let's head over and sit with the crew, sound good?"

Liara starts to walk with me and she looks me up and down as she does, her eyes flicking up after she's done checking me out. "You look very pretty." She says confidently.

"Men like being called handsome," I chuckle. "you're the one who's pretty."

Liara smiles up at me and to her credit doesn't blush, though that might because her cheeks are already flushed because of the Iced Teas.

Once we get seated someone sits next to me and I turn to see an unimpressed Shepard.

"Undivided attention." Shepard mocks, using her fingers as air quotes.

"I am a man," I sneer back childishly. "I can only be so strong."

Shepard makes a disapproving face and groans. "I thought you were strong enough to hold your own against a pair of tits." Her face suddenly takes on a more evil tone as she gets an idea though. "But it's good to know that's your weakness."

I look down at Shepards chest and then smile at her, taking a sip from my drink. "They aren't blue, you're outta luck Shep."

I feel a hand wrap around mine and I look back to Liara to see her playfully intertwining her fingers with mine, cursing at myself internally when my heart skips a beat. I turn back to Shepard and down the last half of my beer, hoping it will help me snap out of whatever this annoying nervousness is.

"You're also totally on your own with Kaidan now." I tell her, putting my empty glass down. I feel Liaras thumb idly start brushing up and down one of my fingers and I quickly take Shepards drink and down it in a few gulps despite her protest. "I'm genuinely sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me."

As one of the scantily clad waitresses walk by I grab her attention and hold up my empty glass. "Hi, if you could just fill this with whisky and then bring it back to me that'd be great." I smile, holding up my pint glass. "Oh, and she'll have two more of those fruity drinks you brought her earlier. Cheers!"

The waitress takes the empty glasses and Shepard raises her brow at me. "Two?"

"Yeah, it was really good and I want another one but it has little bits of fruit in it and an umbrella. I still have a little bit of pride."

I stand at the urinal, relieving myself of all the drinks I bought. I blink hard, giving my head a little shake as I try and clear my thoughts. It doesn't work out, my head is absolutely swimming. I tuck myself back into my pants and do up my fly before turning around and bumping into Dylan.

"Hey buddy!" I smile, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "What are you doing in here?"

"I'm going to the washroom!" Dylan answers excitedly. "Here returning all that whisky you drank?"

"What do you mean all that?" I scoff, moving to the sink and washing my hands. "I had two drinks."

"Yeah," Dylan nods. "but those were two pints of whisky and you drank them in what, forty minutes?"

"So?"

"Plus the drinks at the bar, and whatever you had to drink today." He adds.

"I can handle my liquor." I roll my eyes.

"I know, you're somehow are still standing and have pretty good hand eye coordination." He says, making a face that tells me he finds it hard to believe. "It's kind of weird, you're like a really really put together Jack Sparrow. Like I know you're drunk, but I don't have much proof."

"Thanks Dilly!"

"There's the proof."

"Anywho…" I say slowly, pointing to the door and getting an amused look from Dylan. "That's right, I took your line. But yeah, I'm gunna head back out there."

"Hey I've got a question." Dylan speak up.

"You always do, Dilly."

"That, that can not be a thing please don't make that a thing." Dylan pleads. "Anywho-"

"That's my line." I smirk, getting a glare from Dylan.

"Can I finish?"

"You may." I nod.

"You ever meet someone and it uhm, feels like you've already known them for years?" He asks. "And you kinda get that worry that you'll disappoint them and it's worse because in your mind this is someone you've known for a while so you've built them up in your head?"

I pause and think about what Dylan's asked and immediately something clicks. That's why I'm nervous around Liara, I've basically already been in a relationship with her for a few years and a friend too. I've had time to get attached so now it's not a big deal to me that it's actually happening and if I fuck it up it'd be really shitty.

"Yeah." I nod slowly. "I know exactly what that's like."

"You have any weird I'm Mav and I never get nervous and everything will always be fine tricks?" He asks, doing a pretty good impression of me actually.

"No." I laugh. "But the fact that you're nervous means it's that much more important to you, and if that's true then you'll take it more seriously and be fine."

"That's the most insightful advice I've gotten from a drunk." Dylan tilts his head in surprise.

"You're welcome." I say patting him on the shoulder. "Dilly."

"You're going to regret making that a thing!" Dylan calls out as I leave the bathroom. "Mark my words!"

I leave the bathroom and see everyone standing up, looking like they're ready to go back to the Normandy. I head over to them and immediately make my way to Liara, smiling back at her when she notices me.

We all talk and make our way outside, some people getting into a cab and making their way back to the Normandy. Once Dylan comes out he goes right into the next cab, leaving just Shepard, Kaidan, Liara and me waiting on the last cab.

We all get in the cab, Liara and I getting in the back and Shepard and Alenko getting in the front. Shepard and Kaidan immediately start talking to each other and it makes me smile, they both seem super relaxed so I think it's going well. I'm immediately pulled away from what they're doing when a hand rests on my thigh.

"Did you have fun tonight?" Liara asks, still a bit bubbly from the booze.

I reach my arm around her and pull her closer, letting her rest her head on my chest. "I had a lot of fun tonight, you?"

"It was fun!" Liara says. "Is… is that the first time you've danced?"

I slowly turn my head to Liara, noting her playful smirk. "What does that mean, miss T'Soni?"

"It's ok, you were next to Shepard for most of it so I do not think anyone noticed."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing." I say, turning my head away. "I can not believe you'd say my dancing is as bad as Shepards."

"Not as bad." Liara starts to correct. "It is, and only slightly, worse-"

"You stop talking right now." I warn.

"Or what?"

"Or I'll have to punish you for being bad." I answer, leaning closer.

"And how will you do that?" She breathes, barely an inch away.

That's more than enough to convince drunk me to kiss her, and not a tender caring intimate kiss it's a sloppy drunk tongue fight. It's, well to be perfectly honest it's really hot and I'm a huge fan of it.

I run my hand up her leg and slip it under her dress, rewarded with a load moan. But a few things make me stop all together, one being that I didn't even reach the middle of Liaras thigh, and second being that it was a guy moaning. That last one is a big one, actually it probably should have been number one now that I think about it.

Liaras stopped too and is now staring at me, our lips still locked together but not moving. I pull back when I hear more moaning, this time a woman's is mixed in and Liara and I turn to see Shepard straddling Kaidan. Both of them running their hands all over each other, Kaidans shirt is completely in buttoned and being rubbed down by small N7 hands and Shepards dress is hiked up past her black thong while Kaidan grabs at her ass like he's falling off a cliff and it's his only hope.

"What a bunch of animals." I scold, shaking my head. "I mean I'm actually really happy for them but we're right here."

"Should we say something?" Liara whispers, averting her eyes.

"Naa," I shake my head. "it's just some really handsy making out leave the kids be. As long as it doesn't get too graphic I could care less."

"I want you to fuck me right now." Shepard snarls as her tongue dives back into Kaidans mouth.

Liara raises her brow at me and my mouth opens as I think of something to say. "She's probably talking about later."

Kaidan hand starts to glow and I tilt my head wondering why. That stops though when I see it start to vibrate like a shockwave and dive under Shepards underwear and between her legs.

"Ok!" I exclaim over Shepards very loud moaning. "Barriers up Liara." I say, nudging her before building a biotic power in each hand. Liara covers her ears and I clap my hands together, the sound and heat of the detonation causing both of them to jump and look back at me.

"Alright!" I shout. "Ya filthy fuckin animals! That's enough!"

Both of them just stare at me, not moving a muscle. When the cab lurches to a stop though they both scramble for the door and sprint to the Normandy.

I smirk as the two disappear into the Normandy, looking back at Liara and going blank. She jumps on top of me, pressing her lips against mine and running her fingers through my hair.

"My room." She breathes, not letting me answer before kissing me deeper. I hum positively and lift her up, carrying her to the Normandy as she wraps her legs around my waist.

We start making our way to her room, stopping only for me to press her up against a wall to make out for the sole reason of it's really hot. Eventually one of the walls is the door to Liaras room and after a minute of blindly tapping at the wall I find the button.

I carry her to her bed and we fall into it, tugging at each other's clothing in the dark. I start to kiss her neck while sliding her dress up her body, Liaras breathing egging me on. The dress slips over her shoulders and I toss it to the side, pulling my tie off as run my free hand up her body.

"Stop."

I stop.

"What's wrong?" I ask, staring at Liaras outline.

"Turn on the lights."

I smirk, lifting myself off her but stopping again when she grabs my arm.

"And remove your clothes."

I lean in and kiss her again before getting up, Liara moving and getting comfortable. I walk towards the glowing light switch, tossing off my tie and pulling my shirt over my head. I flip on the light with one hand while the other undoes my pants and they fall to floor.

"How about you help with the last little bit?" I ask, tucking my thumb into the waistband of my boxers and turn around. "Well, didn't expect to see that." I mutter, staring at the sleeping asari.

Liara nuzzles her head into her pillow as I sigh. I pick up my shirt and pull it back over my head, walking towards Liara. I smirk and raise my brow, pausing to take in Liara in her bra and panties.

"Wow," I nod, lowering her mass and lifting her arm. "good for you T'Soni and me by proxy." I slowly start to turn her over on her stomach in case she throws up in her sleep, this also causes her other arm to push her boobs together in a happy little accident. "I am Captain Matticks, and this is my favorite view on the Citadel." I chuckle. Liara softly rolls onto her stomach and my eye is immediately drawn to her panties, riding up slightly with her cute little ass poking through. "I stand corrected, that is my favorite view on the Citadel."

I grab the blanket bundled up on the side of the bed and gently tuck Liara in, making sure she's covered up and warm. I bend down and plant a soft kiss on her forehead, standing and looking at her. Liara stirs and snuggles her face into her pillow, a smile growing on her lips. "I stand corrected again." I whisper, grabbing my pants and backing out of the room.

I leave Liaras room, pulling up my pants and stuffing my tie in my pocket. I plop down at the table in the mess hall and lean back in my chair, drumming my fingers on the table.

"Well I guess that's for the best." I mutter to myself, opening my new Omni-tool and finding a search engine. "Didn't even know what I was gunna do down there." I shrug.

I stare at my Omni-tools version of Google, immediately leaning forward and tapping the search bar. "I know what I'm searching for tonight." I say, typing with one hand. "Asari vagina." I mutter as I type.

"Hmm." I mumble as I stare at the search results. "All porn, not really sure what I was expecting." I'm about to change my search when I notice something that catches my eye. "Asari maiden ravished by hanar? Well, I'm drunk enough to click this. I wonder if hanar have a dick or if they just use their… Yup, using tentacles… All of the tentacles… Ok well, that's too much for me." I cringe, closing the page.

I flip through the rest of the results and let out a sigh when I see the link Two krogan punish human teen. "I'm gunna regret this." I say, rubbing my forehead as I tap the link. "Oh my god!" I squirm. "How is she not dead?!" I close the tab completely, opening a new one and purging my brain along with my search history.

I refine my search history using the most scientific phrases I can and finally get something other than porn. I learned that for the most part the asari undercarriage is the same as a humans, minus the magic button and orgasms. It's more like a slow growing wave of pleasure, the real trick is the melding. You basically feel everything they do when you join, you can share memories and thoughts but only voluntary. You can be forced to show your memories in some horrible type of mind rape but the odds of that happening are slim to none. Which means my secret of being from another universe is safe.

"Well that was educational." I smirk, closing my Omni-tool. "And I only had to be emotionally scarred a few times!"

I sit at the chair, yawning until I get an idea that has bugged me since the first Mass Effect. I reopen the search engine and begin to type. "Naked quarian… Augh, damnit… female quarian." I tilt my head at pictures on the screen, nodding slightly. "Not bad."

"Mav? What are you doing—oh my god!"

"Shepard!" I shout, turning off my Omni-tool and standing up. "This isn't what it looks like!"

"I'm just going to go." Shepard says, shaking her head and walking away. "I'm sorry for… interrupting."

"No! Come back!" I shout, grabbing her arm and pulling her back.

"Augh you didn't wash your hands!"

She cringes, shaking me off.

"I wasn't touching myself!" I shout. "And I'm right handed!"

"Then what were you doing?!"

"Looking up asari anatomy!" I answer, pulling up my Omni-tools history. "See!?"

Shepard looks at me wearily, eventually looking at my search history. She reads through it and raises her brow. "Well, you're thoughtful at least."

"I'm a chivalrous lover Shepard." I shrug, getting a confused look from her. "Ladies first." I explain.

"Lucky Liara." She smirks.

"Kinda." I say, rubbing the back of my head. "They can't finish apparently."

"That's kind of sad." Shepard frowns.

"Not really, it builds up to the same thing basically and stays there until you're too tired."

"Less sad." Shepard shrugs.

"Is uhh." I smirk, pointing at what I now realize is a pantless Shepard in an oversized shirt. "Is that Kaidans shirt?"

Shepard looks down and blushes, looking back up with a sense of pride though. "Yeah, it is."

"Look at you!" I cheer quietly. "Sealed the deal!"

"Still sealing." Shepard grins. "I just came to get some water."

"Lucky Kaidan." I laugh.

"No," she corrects. "lucky Shepard." She starts to walk away and I see her lick her lips and whisper. "I love biotics so much."

I cock my head at Shepard before walking back to my bunk, opening another search as I do.

"Biotics and sex." I mutter slowly as I open the doors to the crew quarters.

"Morning everyone," I nod, waking up to see everyone already up and eating breakfast. "how are we all feeling?"

I get a bunch of positive nods and yes's from the biotics in the squad and groans and grumbles from the non-biotics.

"Awesome!" I smirk as I flop down in a chair, sneaking the apple off Alex's tray when he's not looking. I bite into the apple and look at Shepard, she's off in her own little world staring at Kaidan and he's staring at her.

I'm pretty happy for those two, it's about time they did something about how they feel about each other. Even though they tried to do it in front of Liara and me.

"Where's my apple?" Alex asks suddenly, causing me to stop mid chew. I take another quick bite and a warp slowly wraps around the apple and disintegrates in in seconds.

"I have no idea." I shrug, trying to swallow the last stubborn bit of fruit.

"Really because I just watched you warp it away." Alex says dryly, his Russian accent thick and low.

"Shhh." I hush, lifting my finger to his lips. Alex pushes my hand away and scoffs at me while some of the other crew chuckles. "I didn't do anything. I would never," I state, lifting my hand and bioticly lifting Shepards apple from across the table. "ever," I float the apple towards my mouth, taking a bit and floating it back. "steal someone's fruit. I have morals."

Shepard takes the apple from the blue aura holding it in front of her, an amused look on her face as she takes a bite for herself.

"Ew." Tali gags, shaking her head at Shepard. "He just put his mouth on that and now you're eating it!"

"I've learned from Ian that humans don't really care for personal boundaries, Tali." Garrus pipes up. "I've found it easier to ignore it, they'll just make it worse."

"I don't see how they could make it any-"

"Kaidan, you want some of my apple?" Shepard asks.

"I'd love some." Kaidan smiles, staring at Tali as he pulls the apple out of Shepards hand and catches it.

"Keelah, please don't." Tali squirms.

Kaidan takes a bite and then tosses it back to Shepard, the crew laughing as Tali puts her hand in front of her visor.

The crew goes on to bug Tali, pausing only to make little jabs at each other. Eventually everyone parts ways and I make my way back to the fridge to get another apple. I reach in and grab an apple, tossing into the air and catching it before taking a bite. I then pull the sticker out of my mouth and toss it in the garbage.

I hear some talking next to me and see Liara facing away from me, talking to Shepard about her Prothean research. I take another bite from my apple and I can't help but look down at the part of her lab coat that conveniently doesn't cover her ass. I look up and see nobody is in the area except for Shepard, Liara and me, and it gives me an evil but fun idea.

Reaching out my index finger I gently touch the back of Liaras thigh, her voice hitches as I trace it up to the bottom of her right cheek. To be honest this started as a little flirty touching while Liaras trying to talk to tease her, but when I see that her leggings change a shade slightly wherever I touch I've abandoned by original motive and started drawing a bird. It's hard to draw when her butt keeps shivering so my birds turning out shitty, no pun intended.

"Shepard!" I look up from my work to see Alex walking towards us. "Something came up and I need to talk to you, I could really use your help."

"Ok, seems important so we'll continue this talk later Liara." Shepard answers, turning away from Liara which lets her stare back at me looking all hot and bothered.

"Something wrong?" I chuckle, standing straighter and eating the last bit of my apple.

"I…" She starts, fidgeting her feet as she points at me. "No." She finishes.

"That's what I thought." I wink, my Omni-tool beeping and distracting me. "Well, that's important so I've got to go. Talk later?"

Liara just stares at me, not sure what to say. I smile at her and start to walk past her but she grabs the collar of my shirt and pulls me down for a kiss. She pulls away and looks at me, her eyes a little glazed over. Then they change, they look around for a split second and they grow mischievous. Next thing I know her tongue is in my mouth, a soft moan vibrating against my tongue. It's over as quick as it started and she places a hand on my face, giving me an understanding look.

"Okay," she nods, backing away from me. "we can talk when you return."

And then she leaves.

Leaving me in the kitchen area, alone, to watch her walk away. I stand there too, mouth open but I can't think of anything to say. After a minute of being dumbfounded and undeniably turned on I straighten up, adjusting my jacket before marching towards the locker room.

"She's learning." I mutter to myself and I walk through the door. "This is simultaneously the best and worst thing to happen to me right now."

I sit on my bed and open my Omni-tool, activating my Icarus emails and finding a request form. I tap it and find it's from Neil McCray, another Contractor. The request is to run an operation on the Citadel with some known crime lords, big names like the mafia and yakuza and smaller ones like local gangs and even people from Chora's Den. This must be what Alex wanted to talk to Shepard about, he's got some heavy ties with Chora's Den for obvious reasons.

The reason he wants to do this is to gain their favor to assist in the breaking out of a prisoner on Thessia, this person used to work with McCray when they ran their own gang. Immediately I feel like something is off, but McCray goes on to explain that it's an undercover op, no people other than him and I will know about it this way Icarus can't be traced to the work on the Citadel or the Thessia breakout. I think about an answer before opening my Omni-tool and typing a reply.

McCray,

Initially the thought of Icarus directly involving itself in the criminal world dissuaded me from even considering green lighting this operation.

However, the fact that Icarus' goal is to further itself to prepare for future events and aid good people who can't do so themselves it is inevitable that council laws will be broken. This includes branching out into the Terminus Systems and disturbing enemy supply chains and seizing valuable intel.

So you are green lit for your operation. You are also tasked with building your squad and establishing yourselves as a mercenary group, your goal will be to build reputation as well as gain intelligence and valuable products for Icarus without casting negative impressions. This will be the first Icarus Contractor Cell, you will be undercover until I decide otherwise.

Captain Matticks.

I hit send and wait for a reply. It takes only two minutes to come in.

Captain Matticks,

Thank you for the opportunity, I'll get my men together and give monthly reports. The men I'm getting aren't known for doing "good things for good people" and that's an attitude I'm behind and will practice while undercover. I'll begin immediately.

McCray.

I close my Omni-tool and smirk, this in my mind could be valuable. Basically turning McCray into an unmarked task force that Icarus can use to do dirty work has potential beyond belief, it also has high deniability. If anything were to happen only McCray would be a concern, one loose end instead of a whole squad of them. Plus, according to his files this is work he's used to.

Now that that's done though, I've got more important things to take care of.

Liara and I walk into the restaurant, getting seated quickly enough and ordering our food.

"I like your dress," I smile. "it looks really good on you."

"Thank you." Liara smiles back. "I didn't think the dress I wore the other night would be appropriate."

I look at the dress she's wearing now, simple and white but it fits her very well. It's pretty much the opposite of the hot little black number she wore for Chora's Den.

"No, probably not although I wouldn't have minded." I wink, taking a sip from my scotch. "Honestly didn't think you took me seriously when you asked me what you should wear."

"It's not something I'd normally wear." Liara admits, smirking coyly as she goes on. "But seeing the way you reacted made it worth it."

"Caught me peeking eh?" I chuckle.

"I'd have called it staring."

"Can you blame me?"

Liara stares at me for a few seconds with a certain look, this little curling smile in the corner of her mouth and this twinkle in her eye. She just looks happy, and it makes me happy.

"So how much do you remember from last night?" I ask, curious to see if she's a forgetful drunk.

"Enough," she blushes, suddenly getting embarrassed. "I actually wanted to apologize for that."

"Apologize?" I cock my head, wondering what she's talking about. "What do you mean?"

"I'm sure it was the iced teas that Williams was giving me but I was very… forward because of them." She explains. "I didn't mean to come on so strongly, and I don't want to rush you into anything if you're not ready for it."

I grin at her, sighing and leaning forwards in my chair. "Don't apologize, if for whatever reason I feel rushed I'd tell you. I don't really have set times for when things in a relationship should happen, I go for an organic approach. Whatever feels right is what's going to happen and I'm ok with it."

Liara smiles and me and seems to relax. "Ok, thank you."

"Plus," I add, slowly spinning my glass on the table. "if we're being honest, I was a huge fan of everything that happened the other night. You turned me right on, so keep it up."

Liaras smile turns a bit sultry and her brow rises. "Is that so? Anything in specific that you liked?"

"Well." I muse. "Spontaneity first off, just turning around and having you jump me without me expecting it is a huge turn on for me."

"That explains the face you made after I kissed you when Shepard left." Liara smiles evilly.

"Uhh yeah." I say, sitting up straight as I remember what she's talking about. "Yeah that did a number."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You're so bad." I grin, shaking my head. "I love it."

"I'm glad, this is all rather new to me." Liara admits, tilting her head down slightly.

"What is?"

"This." She says, motioning to the two of us. "A relationship getting… sexual."

"Oh." I say slowly, not sure what to say really. "That's ok, you're pretty good at it."

"I'm just worried I'll say or do the wrong thing." She explains quickly. "You don't seem to get nervous and you always say the right thing, I don't think that a sexual relationship is new to you and-"

"It's not." I answer, cutting her off before she can get any more flustered. "But this is new to me, because I do get nervous."

Liara actually seems surprised when I say that. "Really? Why?"

"Dylan explained it to me last night, kind of." I say, tilting my head back and forth as I think of the right words. "Basically you make me nervous, that's never happened to me before and the reason I think it happens is, and not to sound too sappy but I really like you Liara."

"I like you too." Liara answers, giving me that look again.

We look at each other for a bit, just smiling at each other like teenagers until I break the silence.

"So, tell me what exactly you thought you were doing back on Therum before getting caught by a giant bubble.

I slip on my new helmet, twisting my head around to get used to the fit before linking it to my Omni-tool. The armor is pretty advanced, the plating is new and tougher and the under amour's hexagonal pattern actually contains medigel to immediately help with small gunshot wounds and punctures. It can also be monitored from a command deck of a ship, it can be tracked and parts of it can be controlled remotely in case I'm not able to or I'm too busy. The Wingstick is attached on my right shoulder blade and is setup to return to my gloves with the help of the rotating blades and internal VI.

"Nice armor." Shepard nods, packing her sniper rifle neatly onto her back. "Get me one?"

"Use your Spectre allowance Shepard." I laugh. "If you use it all then come to me but milk everything the Council gives you first."

Shepard shake her head and walks in front of the crew, leaning on the Mako and crossing her arms. "Ok, you know the drill only a few of you can fit in the Mako so some of you will be meeting us once we clear the Normandy to land."

"-Actually Commander, the Normandy is clear to land now.-" Joker speak up though the speakers of the ship. "-The geth defenses have already been dropped, no need for the Mako.-"

"Thank god." Ian mutters.

"Why, did the STG team manage to clear the way?"

"-No I'm going to guess it was the couple dozen Icarus ships that did it, but what do I know?-"

"Ahh shit." I curse, pointing my finger at Shepard. "I knew I forgot to tell you something."

"No shit." Shepard sighs. "Any reason Icarus is at the same place as a rouge Spectre, geth army and krogan cloning facility?"

"Don't worry." I say, holding my hands up defensively. "We're here to help, coordinating with the Salarians."

"I bet they're thrilled about that." Ashley adds.

"Well good." Shepard nods. "Let's get down there and lend a hand."

Within a few minutes we land and the bay doors to the Normandy open to show us hundreds of Icarus troops patrolling the STG beachhead. They've set up tons of extra tents and there are ships dropping off even more troops.

"That is a lot of soldiers." Art says aloud as we walk into the water.

"You're welcome." I say smugly as the crew follows Shepard towards the STG captain. We walk into the tent and Captain Kirrahe looks at me and sighs.

"You're with Icarus?" He asks, getting a nod from me. "Your insignia is different than the other soldiers here, no red, I assume you're a Contractor?" Another nod from me. "Your tent is set up over there." He points to a tent not far off and starts talking to Shepard.

"I guess I'm going to my tent then." I mutter and I slosh through the water to the Contractors tent. I flip open the flap and am surprised to see a TAC team assembled in the tent, all of them standing in a perfect straight line as if they were waiting for me.

"Captain Matticks." The first salutes, the creepy robot filter on his voice giving me a chill.

"Yeah, that's me." I answer, raising my hand and waving it at them to get them to stop saluting me. "And you are?"

"Keatol squad sir." Lincoln says. "We met on Doctor Saleons ship."

"I remember, glad to have you here." I relax, only slightly though because there's still something off about them. "What are we up against and what do we have to face it?"

"Geth numbers range to twenty five hundred units, mostly infantry with some air support." Lincoln reports. "We have twelve hundred Icarus marines and two prototype fighter craft."

"Sounds like a fair fight." I sigh, baffled at how outnumbered we are.

"I agree, Geth tactics are predictable and our marines are well trained and well equipped." Lincoln nods, looking out at the horde of Icarus troops. "As well as Keatol squad and a team of Contractors, who appear to be arriving now."

I turn to see a Kodiak drop ship with a white Icarus logo on the side, the craft spinning and opening its doors a few meters from the tent. A man and a woman drop out, as well as a krogan and a familiar quarian. I can't help but smile as I recognize them.

Lorin, Eric, Enya and Golem all walk into the tent, Lorin walking right up to me.

"I missed you babe." I laugh, reaching my arms forward to pull him into an awkward hug but he plants his hand on my helmet and pushes me away.

"Captain Swallow Bottom?" Lorin mutters angrily and I snort trying not to laugh. "Penis vagina hybrid?!" He says, now shouting and clenching his fists.

I can't take it, I explode laughing, falling over and rolling in the sand as I howl. A few seconds later I manage to contain myself and get to my feet. "You didn't like my new name for you?" I ask, snickering.

"You know what?" Lorin asks, his tone calming. "I'm not mad." This surprises me so I listen quietly. "I was mad, and I wanted to lash out and beat you to a stupid blonde pulp when I found out what you did but you weren't around. A blessing in disguise, because it gave me time to plan."

Hmm, something doesn't seem right here.

"Then you put this asshole on my squad." He says, growing slightly angry again as he points at Eric. "Who had a field day with your edits in my files. Then this super surgeon asari who couldn't shoot the fucking ground underneath her if her life depended on it. And then the krogan, who's not that bad which isn't surprising because you had nothing to do with him being here."

"Got a point to this little rant?" I jeer.

"Yeah!" He says excitedly. "I do, you doe eyed fuck. Because you got to add people to my squad I decided to do the same, and I found someone who was perfect."

"Great." I shrug. "One of your stupid friends, I can handle that."

My Omni-tool blinks and I see an alert to link my comms with my squads comm officer. I hit accept and a progress bar starts to fill and I look back to Lorin.

"Oh an IT guy, I'm furious." I remark, dry as the desert sand.

"Not just any IT guy Mav, the IT guy." Lorin says, walking over and wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "You see, by sheer luck I found this IT guy when I did a cleanup op on a tiny little planet called Feros."

"Feros?" I mutter, a very bad feeling spreading throughout my body.

"You've heard of it?!" Lorin shouts, pretending to be amazed. "Then maybe you've met our new communications officer!"

My Omni-tool blinks that my suit is set up and a voice crackles into my headset.

"-Hey perv.-"

"Her names Nicky Harlow." Lorin whispers in my ear as I start to feel sick. "Have you two met?"

"This isn't happening." I whisper to myself.

"-It's happening, ass.-" Nicky says, sounding very proud of herself. "-You've got a lot of shit on the suit of yours, it's all remote controlled too. Guess who's in charge of that?-"

"No…" I sob.

"Nicky is Mav." Lorin coos in my ear. "Nicky is in control of the remote functions of your suit, she's also in charge of giving you new intel as soon as she gets it. You two are going to really get to know each other."

"-Did you know I can turn down the temperature in your suit until you get hypothermia AND inject you with adrenaline?-"

"Kill me."

R/R

Tdychko: Glad I could make you overdose!

OBSERVER01: Hmm, who knows? I certainly don't…

BJ Hanssen: Happy I could help! And thanks for the advice, I honestly appreciate it.

Spiritstrike: Yeah, poor Graff. He shall be missed! Good to hear that you liked the chapter, regardless of the lynching of Misfit.

WiseSilver: Yeah that data rip had a purpose, nothing major but I do most things for a reason. Some of those reasons are stupid sure but they're still reasons!

Nipplegunz: Your name… I can't… Thank you.

general-joseph-dickson: You may be right.

Kaiya of Terra: True, noting good happens on Peak 15. Eric, or movie reference guy, doesn't site his saying because I feel like if someone got the reference without it being spoon fed to them theyd enjoy it more, plus like he said, they're not for you. Dick.

V-rcingtorix: Thanks man, glad you liked it. I'm happy that you like the rachni, I wasn't really sure about the whole horror-esk vibe and was a little nervous about how it'd be received. Also happy you liked the fact that there's some friction between Shepard and Mav, I sometimes really dislike how people make everyone get along even though there's good reasons for them not to. In the next story I plan to have a lot of fighting and a lot of lines drawn in sand between major groups in the ME universe. Mav knows what's coming and needs to prepare for the reapers and he isn't afraid to step on toes. I know the Liara romance is going a little fast, to be honest I was going to take it further than I did in this chapter but decided against it. I'll chalk it up to the fact that they're in a life threatening mission and aren't waiting around to pursue a proper courtship, plus in the game Shepard talks to Liara like three times and they fuck right after so I'm going to jump through that loophole. And lastly thanks for the kind words but I couldn't possible write about that sort of thing, it's just not something I'm into. It'd feel like… whining or complaining, I'd rather be my introspective self and not bug others with my problems. I also don't think I could stoop to the level of country music either, I wouldn't be able to look myself in the mirror.

FanaticalFan: If I were to abandon this story I'd at least put up a chapter explaining it and give a cliffnotes on the entire series I had planned. So unless you see that chapter keep your chin up! You seem to be someone who like conflict, I like that! Eric will be dealt with in one way or another and Shepard, well, things will happen with Shepard…

Yeah Its Small: I will try my hardest not to disappoint, glad you're liking it so far man!

Kemjur: You're welcome for the read!

Guest: It will work, once I explain the rip. It's not a good one mind you, just a silly thing that adds a bit of character to people. I've also decided to take a little more logical approach to asari vagina, never thought I'd have to type that… so don't worry too much about that man, I've got it covered.