Garrus locked eyes with her, half-puzzled by her mercurial mood; disappointed and upset at one moment, the next sweetly seductive. It didn't take him more than the space of a few seconds to decide he wasn't going to over- think it. Her fingers curled into his neck as his tongue snaked out to trace up her slit; a vague warning sounded but he silenced it, Shepard wouldn't put him in danger and he wasn't sure he could care if she did. He heard her breath catch and looked up once more, Shepard was staring at him as though she had never really seen him before; it was strangely empowering.

Shepard noticed how his mandibles flickered in satisfaction and the mischievous twinkle in his eyes, clearly he thought he was in control here and she was going to have to show him otherwise. Shepard ran her hands down his nape, scraping her nails against that sensitive skin until she felt him shudder, her fingertips felt the soft material of his shirt and she tugged insistently.

"Take this off." In answer Garrus circled his tongue around her clit and Shepard's head fell back, a pleasant tingle rushing up her spine. She pulled back, pushing him away, "I gave you an order, Vakarian. Insubordination will not be tolerated."

Garrus stopped, assessing her as though trying to decide how far she would be willing to go; evidently he found the answer because in the next moment he raked his talons down his shirt and discarded the material thoughtlessly.

"You really have something against clothes, don't you?"

Garrus chuckled warmly, "I'll get a new one, but I thought I should comply with your orders hastily."

"Good call." It was heartening just to be able to speak with him again rather than hearing his vocalizations and being unable to communicate anything herself. Part of her just wanted to keep him talking, but by far the greater part thought that tongue had a better use. She urged him back to her, fingers massaging his shoulders as her nails slipped between his plates to the skin beneath; she bucked when he wasted no time in applying himself to his task, licking deeply into her. She shuddered, her good leg wrapping around his back to hold him in place; when he laughed at her eagerness the vibration just about finished her then but she fought it off stubbornly.

Garrus seemed to sense her struggle, he chuckled again and licked a meandering path up her slit to the nub at the top, rough tongue brushing directly over it until she felt her toes curl. Her nails were clenched in the join of his plates, eyes fighting to stay open. He made eye contact with her, "Shepard, look at me."

Shepard bridled slightly, she was giving the orders now he had had his time. She shut her eyes firmly and couldn't help but smile when she heard Garrus' rumbling laugh; he wouldn't be laughing later, it would be a miracle if either one of them had the breath for it.

Shepard traced her hands back up to his fringe, holding him in place for fear that he might pull away in protest, but such was not his intent. As his tongue circled her clit she felt his finger gliding into her, mindful of her delicate skin but curving in just that way. Shepard's self-control deserted her as he began to thrust, she could feel his gaze on her and opened her eyes to find him staring up at her as he went about his task. That finished it, she trembled as her release snuck up on her; Garrus' tongue pushed into her center, lapping up her moisture greedily as she writhed in her chair. The lines of command were certainly blurred, but suddenly she couldn't find it in her to care much.

His talon circled the sensitized flesh of her clit as his tongue sought out every last bit of her; Shepard's fingers began to knead into him and Garrus hummed in contentment, setting off yet more tremors. Shepard winced, unable to prevent herself from bucking into him and chafing be damned. As she went to pull away his hands caught her hips to hold her there, tilting her up to him. "Garrus, enough."

Garrus growled and Shepard shuddered, this had to end before it got entirely out of hand; she pushed at him until he finally rocked backward on his feet, a stubborn glint in his eye.

"Your turn."

"I'm not finished with you yet."

"I was thinking the same thing myself."

Her predatory smile sent a shiver of anticipation through him, but he growled in confusion when she pulled away, evidently expecting him to move back. He stepped away from her chair as she got to her feet, once again ignoring his hand in favor of supporting herself on that chair. And now he was jealous of the furniture, wonderful; it had to be some lingering effect of the hormones that had been pumping through his body earlier, he was a rational being that did not want to rip a chair apart simply because she preferred to rest her weight there rather than on him.

She turned at his frustrated rumble, "Garrus, you alright?" Her smile turned teasing, "If you're too tired we can call it quits here, I'll understand."

If he were human, he would have kissed that smile from her face until she was breathless, he had finally discovered the use of that gesture; instead he stepped forward to press his forehead to hers, talons tracing over her neck until they tangled in the base of her fringe, baring her to his teeth. He licked a path down the line of her throat, nuzzling into the side and nipping roughly. Shepard bit at the skin of his own throat and Garrus practically purred, heart warming at the sound of her laughter.

She guided him back to the bed slowly, pushing him down to sit at the edge, still further until he was lying down. "This is going to be harder than I thought, rest assured that when Dr. Chakwas' contraption comes off I am going to drag you right back up here and start this all over again. Finish it, too." Her grin gave an entirely different meaning to the phrase and Garrus shivered in anticipation.

She climbed onto the bed beside him, "You know, I had plenty of time to explore while we were down there; I found a few intriguing things." His pupils were dilated and breathing was ragged, always a good sign.

Her hands ghosted down over his hips, nails tracing between the joining of his thighs teasingly, "things like this." Her hand pushed up into his most sensitive area and Garrus bucked against her as he felt her take him in hand.

"Fascinating, wouldn't you agree?" Damn her for being so coy, he bucked against her hand but she kept her grip light. Her lips moved up to his neck, her hot breath gliding over his sensitive ears, teeth following around the edges of his fringe. He panted desperately, writhing against her.

Finally she was persuaded to mercy, clasping him tightly as she ran her hand up his length, her other hand stealing in now to join the first at stroking him alternately so that he never had the chance to catch his breath. Something suspiciously like a whimper escaped him and Shepard smiled, "Poor Garrus, have I made it too hard for you to keep up?"

Oh, he was going to get her; not now, but he would have his revenge and it would leave her screaming in pleasure. Shepard smiled as she felt the plates parting further, trailing her mouth back down to the juncture to catch him in her mouth. Garrus hissed and bucked against her, talons tangling in her soft fringe, careful not to hurt but desperate for her to continue. When would she take that damn shirt off? He wanted to feel her skin entirely against him; soft and yielding yet stronger than he would have guessed.

His body tightened when she lowered that clever mouth to envelope him in the wet heat, her tongue playing along his length as her hand continued to massage the base. Garrus' head fell back, thoughts of vengeance swiftly evaporating as she continued to play him. He wished he could remember exactly what they had been up to planet-side, she was far too familiar with this for it to have been her first time with him.

Garrus had spoken true when he said he wasn't particularly inclined toward humans, but for this particular human he had long since made an exception and this was every last fantasy come true. What had he been thinking to delay her for so long. His talons clamped in the flesh of her neck, feeling the muscles there move in tandem with her actions. Spirits, she was beautiful with her fringe falling into her face and a light blush in her cheeks.

He lost that thought too as she paused for a moment before pulling him deep, hands stealing up to clamp his waist and he was gone. Lost to her.

Shepard caught his eyes as she licked her lips languidly, "Fortunately for you there were some benefits to eating your rations."

Garrus winced, "Shepard, I'm sorry. I guess ins-"

"I wasn't looking for an apology, Garrus. Not a spoken one anyone. Actions speak louder than words, right?"

That intriguing blush disappeared beneath the fabric of her shirt and he found that he rather desperately wanted to see the extent of it. His talon pulled at the button of her shirt and Shepard laughed, leaning back to make it easier. He watched as she slowly undid the buttons, following his talon as he traced down the line of them.

"Humans make such asinine garments. So many little pieces to lose."

"I'm not going to- Garrus!"

"Might as well make the shirt and pants a pair again." Garrus seemed entirely unapologetic.

Shepard frowned at him, "I should make you sew every last button back on."

Garrus' hand dipped down to her breast, circling her nipple with a thumb, "If you insist, Shepard."

Shepard's eyes dilated until he was certain her iris would be devoured by the spreading blackness and his mandibles flared in satisfaction; it seemed his instinct was once again on the mark.

He pulled away suddenly and Shepard's eyes widened in shock as he turned her smoothly to her back, moving her up the bed gently. He glanced to her once for confirmation as his tongue laved her nipple throughly, talon tracing over the flesh of her breast; her breaths were coming in shallow pants that he took as an indication of pleasure, her hands fought to pull him closer using what leverage she had from her grip on his nape and he obliged, nipping the skin ever so carefully. Shepard hissed with pleasure, head falling back so that her fringe spread over the coverlet, a striking contrast against the white.

He traced his talon between the valley of her breasts and down to her stomach, mandibles flaring in delight as he felt her soft skin shifting with the movement of muscles beneath. She was truly amazing, steely strength concealed beneath a seemingly vulnerable exterior; he loved it. He loved her. Garrus stifled that thought quickly lest it should show in his eyes, "blow off some steam," she had said, not "make love." He had pushed her far enough just claiming her as his mate and wouldn't that just make it interesting if she ever decided to move on?

A wave of jealousy washed over him at the thought of her leaving, surely she wouldn't think to, knowing that she was his mate? She had accepted his courtship, it was as good as done but would she see it that way. He would just have to ensure that she never wanted to leave. His talon dipped inside her as his thumb circled the neglected nipple, twisting quickly until she arched against him.

He felt her wetness on his talon and pulled it from her, delighting in her disappointed whimper; he watched her face change to excitement as he brought the talon to his face, slowly licking the moisture from it. It seemed that blush really did go all the way down.

He smirked as he pushed his talon into her once again, tongue tracing patterns in her pale skin; she arched against him desperately but he wouldn't give her what she so clearly craved.

"Garrus," she panted.

""Yes, Shepard?" He stopped his ministrations to lock eyes with her.

"Please, Garrus. I need you."

His mandibles flickered swiftly, mouth coming down to press against her ear as his talon played around her clit. "How do you need me, Shepard?"

Shepard moaned, trying to tell him wordlessly but he would not have it. "How do you need me?"

"Inside me, damn you." He felt her hand grasping his length and his breath left him. Grasping her good leg he curved it about his waist, panting at the sensation as he pushed up into her.

Shepard cried out, writhing against him and Garrus found he could no longer hold back. Spirits, he had waited too long for this and the feel of her warmth around him was too much. His hand tightened on her hip as he pushed into her once more, enjoying the keening sound she made as he hand rose to grab at his nape, drawing him in so that her teeth clamped in his flesh. Garrus' hips moved faster, feeling her slide along the bed with the force of his movement, but still she encouraged him to move faster and harder, sucking now on the bruise her teeth had made.

She arched and he felt her convulsing around him; he continued to thrust and Shepard gasped, alternately pushing and pulling at his shoulders, hips writhing against him in a sporadic rhythm. Garrus' teeth closed about her neck, delighting in her surprised gasp before she too bit into him, and thank the spirits she didn't realize the significance of the gesture; she would gut him for his subterfuge if she ever figured it out. He arched into her one final time, feeling his body stiffen with the advent of his own release, he caught himself on his elbows and held there, his forehead pressed comfortingly to hers, mandibles tickling her skin.

Predictably Shepard caught her breath first, he could feel her hot breath against his cheek as she raised up slightly to catch the tip of his mandible between her teeth, giving it a playful tug. Garrus snorted and she pecked his cheek lightly, another curious human gesture he thought he could get used to. He rolled to her side, draping a possessive arm about her waist.

"We still need to talk. About us, I mean. Where are we going with this, Garrus?"

Why was she asking his opinion? Had he not made his feelings clear on that blasted planet and again a few moments ago? Garrus growled softly, if she could muster her thoughts well enough to speak so coherently then clearly he hadn't; his hand traced down her abdomen, drawing phantom designs in the skin there until her felt her breath growing shallow again. This would be a calculated risk, she might well ban him from ever entering her quarters again if she didn't skin him alive.

"I thought you said Dr. Mordin had explained?"

"Courtship rituals, primal state, so on and so forth but that's all in the past-"

She cut off with a surprised gasp as Garrus pushed his talon into her once more, "You stayed with me. You brought me back, what we just did… Shepard, as far as I'm concerned you are my mate. I know you humans don't really think that way, but in turian culture we're as good as married."

Shepard was arching into his hand once again, making a visible effort to keep track of her thoughts, " 'Married' is a big word, Garrus."

Garrus flicked her clit with his thumb gently and Shepard stiffened with a swiftly indrawn breath. "Engaged then; definitely in a relationship that is something more than "blowing off steam."

Shepard smirked, "Thought you weren't into humans?"

He twisted sharply, rolling on top of her once more as he braced his weight on his forearms, "I'm into you."

Shepard laughed, "In some ways a little more literally than others." She blushed suddenly in distress and Garrus' tensed up, wondering what could have brought such a downhearted look to her face. "I guess that means I lost your engagement presents."

Garrus rumbled questioningly, nudging a little more forcefully into her as she tried to collect her thoughts, "I left your pretty rocks behind in that forsaken desert."

Garrus laughed in relief, "I'll find you new ones, something a little better than I could have found in the dirt."

"But those were special, there were memories attached to them."

"Then I guess we'll just have to make new ones." Shepard sighed as he slid into her, rocking languidly this time; she hummed thoughtfully, "Just so you know, I'm not done with you yet. This doesn't even begin to make up for some of the stunts you pulled down there."

"Glad to hear it, Shepard. I'm not done with you just yet either."