Book 1, Chapter 12 -- New Connections
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A/N -- I'm sure those of you following this are wondering what Wrex will get up to next... All I have to say is I have to help a brother out sometimes. And you get a first Garrus POV of the story.
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I was left with the feeling that Benezia wished we had killed her instead of taking her prisoner. I was willing to simply drop her off on the Citadel, but Councillor Tevos insisted they wanted nothing to do with her. When suggesting I take her to Thessia, it was suggested in return that probably wouldn't be a good idea. I wasn't sure the asari still practiced capital punishment, but from the sounds of it, her alliance to Saren was well known and quite a few wanted to make her an example. Showing up with Benezia would also lead to accusations against myself and my team. After conversing with Liara, we decided that we'd keep her with us and see if time away from Saren and his ship would help. I didn't think it would but Liara was more hopeful.
By now, we'd moved Benezia up to the med-bay to continue her recovery from the fact I'd shot her a couple of times. She was restrained at all times, and didn't really make any complaints. If I was honest, it seemed the fight had gone out of her. I spoke to her alone once or twice, trying to gain an insight into Saren's mind. It was obvious he was a raving lunatic by now, and Benezia was unbelievably arrogant in how she thought she could deal with him.
It wasn't a surprise she knew nearly everything about me. I thought she would try and fuck with my mind, question myself, but she just let it be known that if she knew everything, then Saren certainly did too. One question did amuse me though. "Have you fucked my daughter, Commander?" she asked during one session. I heard Chakwas stifle a laugh behind me.
"Not that it's any of your business, but no, I haven't."
"Why not? She's clearly interested in you."
"There has been some flirting but there hasn't really been an opportunity."
She laughed. "Goddess, all you need is ten minutes and a room with a modicum of privacy. Don't even need a bed. Just bend her over a desk and have your way with her."
I couldn't help chuckle. "Are you seriously suggesting I should just fuck your daughter like some... well, whore?"
"It's obvious she's rather uptight about things, particularly in regards to me. I think she needs it to release some of the stress she's feeling."
"It's not my position to say, but you do know she's..."
"A virgin? Yes, that comes as no real surprise. Always had her nose in books or hands buried in dirt. While most her age are out exploring the galaxy as mercenaries or commandos, and definitely fucking anything that moved, my daughter has always been... different. I guess it's a good thing in some ways."
"Look, I remember my first time. It wasn't that memorable. If I was to be her first..."
That made her laugh. "Goddess, you want it to be romantic or something? Get your head out of the clouds, Commander. It's just sex."
I leaned back in my chair, and thought I'd attempt a retort. "Saren ever fuck you?"
That made her face fall, though she shook her head. "No. I may have been a slave to his desires, but he is past needing any sort of physical release. We may have followed his word, but it's clear the ship influences him as much as he and the ship influence his followers."
"You still hear his whispers?"
She nodded. "Still wish you killed me half the time. That part of my mind I blocked off does help, but it's a constant struggle."
"Anything we can do to help?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know much about the indoctrination process. My only suggestion would be destroying that ship of his. Perhaps that will free my mind from his whispers."
"I'm still not sure what to do with you otherwise. Effectively, you might have to remain our prisoner until that time, for your safety and ours."
"Will you eventually release me from these cuffs?"
"Possibly. It will depend on how you behave."
"That is fair, Commander." Then she smirked. "Could always leave them on for a particular reason or two."
I could help chuckle at her tone. "Now, now, Benezia, you were suggesting I fuck your daughter just a few minutes ago."
"Well, I am cuffed here, rather helpless, and I've never been with a human before. Considering all the shit currently going on in my head, you might just be a welcome distraction."
I rose to my feet. "I'll see you later, Benezia." I paused before adding, "Keep that attitude up and you'll find yourself released sooner rather than later. If you want, you can bunk with your daughter. She'll keep you in line."
"She has certainly grown since I last saw her."
"When did you last?"
I noticed her look away. "Too long ago," she replied quietly, "It is a deep regret."
"Now would be the perfect time to reconnect."
"It is one of the very few reasons why I am glad you let me live, Commander."
Heading back out into the mess, no-one was around so I headed back to my quarters, ready to simply lie back on my bed and catch up on some sleep. Noveria had been a wild ride, quite frankly amazed that we'd all survived. Though I was adamant at the time about releasing the rachni queen, I did wonder if that would eventually come back to bite me in the arse. Wrex and his warnings still echoed in my head, and the krogan knew a thing or two about fighting them. I guess it was a case of wait and see what happened.
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Wrex had to admit that he was enjoying life on the
Normandy
. Sure, Shepard's decision regarding the rachni was one he was still trying to wrap his head around, but in the end, like his own people, it was no longer his problem. He would simply serve alongside Shepard, kill geth, rachni or whatever else they happened to find, and in the end, they'd kill Saren, end the menace, then he'd piss off and continue to do his own thing.
Shepard was busy talking to Garrus by the Mako, and he was waiting for the Commander to head over and have his usual chat with him. They'd talked about numerous topics, and it pleased him that Shepard was interested to know more about his species, as barely anyone cared about the krogan or their plight. The only people who the other species cared less about was perhaps the quarians, but at least they didn't have the genophage put upon them.
Alenko was chatting away with Ashley nearby, the human giving him the eye every so often. Wrex was left feeling he might have to nip the entire thing in the bud soon enough. He thoroughly enjoyed himself with Alenko, and the human had a very high sex drive, and a high pain threshold, but he could see the human was starting to...
like
him. Not love, it would never be that but... He was only looking at a physical release, and like a lot of males from any species, except those weird salarians, he loved to fuck.
His eyes fell on Shepard, watching his hand rest on the shoulder of Garrus, the pair exchanging a nod and quiet words, and it looked like Garrus had got something off his chest, as there was definitely a sigh of relief as the turian turned around to resume his work on the Mako. Shepard headed towards him, but simply to say hello before he approached Alenko, grabbing the Lieutenant and the pair headed towards the elevator.
A few minutes later, he noticed Tali poke her head out from engineering, appearing to check for something or someone, before she walked across the garage to Ashley. The two then seemed to talk quietly, and he felt eyes fall on him. If anything, the human female seemed to grin then even burst out laughing at whatever Tali had to say. Wondering what was up, the pair then approached him.
Tali ran a hand down his arm. "Hi, Wrex."