Love, Blood and Tears: Chapter 5

Love, Blood & Tears
Chapter 5:


Shepard laid in her bed, willing herself to fall asleep. She looked over at her clock…0100.  She abandoned all hope of sleeping and decided to go grab some coffee and get some paperwork done.  

Her paperwork didn't take as long as she thought and now she was even more awake because of the coffee. She headed to the observation room.  She sat there, looking out at the stars.  For a moment, the galaxy seemed so peaceful.  

Jack wasn't one to sleep much either.  She made her way to the observation room and saw Shepard sitting there.  

"Hey," said Jack as she sat down on the couch.

"Hey there, couldn't sleep either, huh?"

"No, I don't sleep much.  I'm used to it."

They sat there for awhile without saying another word…just staring out at the stars.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? Almost feels as though everything is right in the galaxy," said Shepard, finally breaking the silence.

"Yeah…well, people like you and me know better," Jack said in a solemn voice.

"Sad but true," replied Shepard as she looked at Jack.  "I'm glad to have you on board Jack; you're one hell of a biotic."

"Thanks.  I'm glad I came along.  I still don't trust Cerberus and that stupid little cheerleader better stay the hell away from me…but you…I like you.  I'm with you – not them."

Shepard chuckled, "I understand, and Jack…you don't have to like Miranda but please try not to kill her."

Jack laughed, "I can't promise anything."

Shepard smiled, "I'm going to get some more coffee, want some?"

"Sure."

*******

Shepard set Joker on a course for Korlus.  She was looking for a krogan warlord named Okeer; hoping he would join her cause.  She got herself suited up and headed out of her quarters.  Garrus was getting ready too, even though Shepard had not officially said who she was taking on the mission with her.  He had gone on every mission so far so it became second nature for him to be ready to head out with Shepard.

Shepard headed down to the lower level to get Jack.  "Suit up, you're coming with me," Shepard commanded.

"Finally! I'm starting to go crazy on this ship.  I'm ready for some action!"

Jack may have looked like "trouble walking" to someone like Miranda but for Shepard…well…Jack was growing on her.

*******

"Damn it! How many Blue Suns do you have to kill before they stop coming!" shouted Shepard.  They fought their way through and finally made it to Okeer.  He was attempting to create the perfect krogan through unethical genetic research.  

There wasn't much time to talk before there was another wave of enemies coming for them.  "Move out!" yelled Shepard.   Seriously, can we ever catch a break?! Just a little one, it doesn't have to be big – just something!

Unfortunately for Shepard, there would be no such break…

The lab where they left Okeer was filling up with toxins. Damn it!  They high-tailed it back to the lab.  Emergency vents eventually came on but it was too late.  Okeer's computer was blinking; Shepard hit the playback button.  Okeer wanted her to protect his legacy, the perfect krogan soldier.  She looked over at the tank that held his legacy.

Shepard got on her comm., "Joker, Okeer is a no go but I do need a package pickup.  It's a big one."

***

Shepard headed to the port cargo hold on the Normandy where the krogan tank had been taken.  Shepard opened the tank.   This "perfect" solider is too valuable of an asset for me not to use.  As soon as the krogan emerged, he charged towards Shepard and slammed her against the wall.   Crap! Probably should have had some back up before letting him out.  Too late now!  Okay, time to put my communication skills to the test.

She was able to persuade him to join her mission. Damn, I'm good!  The krogan decided to go with the name Grunt.  "Welcome aboard Grunt," she said.  As he backed off her, he looked down to see that she had her pistol on him the whole time. He chuckled, "Offer one hand, but arm the other."  He had a feeling he was going to like going into battle with her.

***

Shepard left the cargo hold to see a very alarmed Garrus approaching.

"Are you crazy?!" he shouted at her.

"Maybe a little…but in what way specifically are you talking about?"

"In the way that has you opening up a tank that has a krogan in it that you know nothing about and have no idea of how he will react and with no back up!"

"Oh, that type of crazy…yes, yes I am," she said with a smirk.  Garrus was less than amused.  "Oh calm down! It went fine – look! I'm alive…see? No scratches…" Garrus interrupted her by grabbing her arms and pulling her close to his face.

"Do NOT do something like that ever again," he said sternly.  "Promise me that next time you do something crazy, you'll make sure to have somebody with you – preferably me, okay?"

"Geez…alright dad!" she replied.  She tried to play if off but his words had struck down to her very core.  He cared so much about her.  Maybe he does feel more for me.  Could he really?

"I'm serious Jane, the minute I heard you were down here my heart started racing. I can't spend every minute worrying about you so please try to show a little more caution."

"This coming from the guy who took a missile to the face and had me worrying about him for days?"

"We're not talking about then; we're talking about right now.  Besides, you died and were gone for two years so I think I win this one."

"Fine," she said with a smile. "I'm starving…want to escort me to the mess hall? Wouldn't want you to worry."

"You're such a smart ass."

"You love it."

***

Shepard and Garrus ate their lunch while enjoying each other's company.

"What is that?" she asked – looking at his food with a somewhat disgusted look on her face.

"Food," he sarcastically replied. "What is that?" he tried to mimic the tone she had used.

"Food!" she chuckled.  "Want a bite?"

"Want to see me have an allergic reaction?"

"Sounds fun!"

"Yeah, real fun.  I'd be stuck in the med bay and you'd have no one to watch your back.  I make your job so easy by taking out half the enemies with my sniper rifle before you even get to them.  You're welcome."

"Who's the smart ass now?"

"You love it."

Joker was on the comm, "You've got an incoming call Shepard.  It's the Illusive Man, he says it's important."

For crying out loud! When I said I would settle for a little break, I meant longer than this! "Thanks Joker."

***
The Illusive Man revealed to Shepard that a human colony called Horizon had come under Collector attack.  He wanted her to head there immediately in an attempt to save the colony. He also informed her that Kaidan Alenko was stationed at the colony to oversee the construction of massive defense towers.

"I'm on it," she said.  Kaidan, huh? Well, this should be interesting. She felt an uneasy feeling in her stomach as she realized something… I never did have that talk with Kaidan…