Book 2, Chapter 8 -- Reunions
*****
I'd torn strips off the Illusive Man after demanding Miranda put me in contact with him. She relented quite easily as she could see how pissed off I was. I think she may have even sympathised with me as she would have known about my relationship with Liara, not just the physical side either. She'd been a bloody good friend and had provided numerous theories to prove the Reaper hypothesis true. The fact he'd hidden her from me told me everything I needed to know about his motives. He didn't trust those who'd been with me originally. I was convinced he didn't know Garrus was Archangel otherwise he'd never have sent me to find him.
After I'd said my piece, I cut the line just like I used to do with the Council. Sensing I was rather pissed off about thing still, Kelly grabbed me by the hand and led me upstairs, where she led me to the middle of my cabin, dropped to her knees as she pulled down my trousers, then proceeded to give me a rather excellent blowjob, and made sure I blasted all over her face again. Once I was done, she kept blowing me even though I slowly softened before she looked up and said, "I know you fucked Jack the other night."
I wasn't totally with it after an orgasm so I just shrugged. "She was a good fuck. Gave it to her nice and hard," I admitted.
"You know that's all she'll expect now, for you to basically use her."
"And?"
"You don't care?"
"I do, but I'm not here to mould people or anything, Kelly. I'm here to do the job and get it done right. And I don't have time for her antics. I didn't put up with bullshit while in the Alliance and I won't put up with it here."
She stood up and stripped herself off before she sat back on the bed, resting on her elbows and spreading her legs. "I would hope you would at least look after me, Shepard."
I devoured her pussy like a thirsty man finding an oasis of ice cold water after wandering the desert for months. I always complimented her on how good she tasted, which certainly made her smile, and when I got somewhat vulgar about it, made her blush. I didn't tease her this time. I went in hard and fast, eager to make her cum as quickly as possible, because once she did, I stripped off the rest of my clothes, hopped on the bed as she moved back enough that I could join her, then we fucked.
Twenty minutes later, we were lying on our backs together, breathing deeply. "Well..." I stated.
"I needed that, Shepard. I needed you to eat me out then just fuck me."
"Guess it has been a few days."
She rolled onto her side, cuddling into me. "Don't fret, I know the score, Shepard. One, you have been busy lately. Two, you will be distracted by others. Three, I can look after myself if things get really bad. I'll just use my fingers and think about you."
"I'm not sure what it is but a woman masturbating is erotic as hell."
"Maybe I'll record me doing it and send it to you?"
"Just not when I'm on mission. I like being distracted just not when I'm being shot at."
"Maybe when you're standing next to me near the galaxy map?"
"Then I'd just stride over and fuck you then and there." I paused and chuckled. "Well, I'm sure some of the crew probably expect it now. Not like this is a secret." I pulled her closer and kissed her. "Glad it's not anymore."
She liked the sound of that giving me a squeeze once she wrapped an arm around my chest.
It took over two days to reach the system in which Illium lay. During that time, I spent a lot of time in the gym continuing to work on my fitness, practicing my biotic skills with Jacob and Miranda, and it was only then that Jack finally started to act like part of the team, as she'd come join in, particularly when Miranda and I were training, and I knew it was so she could show off in front of Miranda. The enmity between them was obvious to everyone, but as long as it didn't come to blows, I wasn't going to involve myself. Competition wasn't a bad thing as long as it remained healthy. Jack also appeared at meal times, or at least for breakfast and dinner. She kept to herself each time but the threats must have worked. She didn't talk to me at all, and I didn't go down and talk to her either. But she was meeting me halfway at least, so I had no reason to complain.
The night before we arrived on Illium, I was at my desk in my office when Miranda got in contact with me over the comm system. I was surprised hear from her that the Illusive Man wanted to talk to me again. "What the fuck does he want now?"
"He apparently has more information regarding our visit to Illium and any possible reunion with Liara T'Soni."
"Why do I have a feeling I'm still nothing but a pawn on his chess board?"
"Maybe he has information that could be vital to this mission, Shepard. He does want us to succeed."
"Yeah, I do sometimes wonder about that though," I muttered, "Okay, I'll head downstairs now."
I was rather comfortable this late in the evening so had to change into something decent, including throwing on shoes, before I headed downstairs. Kelly had disappeared, so assumed she was either in one of the lounges or the crew quarters. I hadn't told her I didn't want her company that evening, but I had been distracted most of the day about our impending arrival. She'd learned quite quickly when I needed time to myself.
After keying the code and standing where required, the Illusive Man appeared again. This time he was standing, and I had a feeling this meeting would be brief.
Good. Hate talking to this cunt anyway. Still haven't thought of a nickname for him. There are one or two obvious names but I need something with added spice.
"Shepard, I have further information in regards to your arrival on Illium. No doubt you are heading there due to the two dossiers I have sent you and also in regards to any contact you may wish with Liara T'Soni."
"Okay, I'll bite. What do you have?"
"Are you aware of her links with the Shadow Broker?"
"What? What links? Liara's an archaeologist. I don't even know what the hell she's doing on Illium!"
"Things changed in the two years you were gone, Shepard. People moved on, changed careers, as you obviously witnessed with Archangel. No, Liara is no longer that innocent archaeologist you met three years ago."
"Okay, so what's her story with the Shadow Broker? Is she working for him?"
"No. Liara isn't working for the Shadow Broker. She's trying to find him."
"What the hell for?"