After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Rayne on 15-10-2012, 06:57:32</h2>
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				Title: <strong>After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 06:57:32</strong>
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				Aria Shepard, Commander Shepard as she was still constantly called, stood in the shuttle terminal.&nbsp; If she were alone she might be fidgeting, or pacing, or asking Hackett if there was any news for the hundredth time… but she wasn’t alone. When you were a hero private reunions were a dream. As the hero who saved the galaxy, private reunions were practically a planet wide holiday. The space around her was clear, with the exception of Hackett at her shoulder, but beyond the protection detail there was a throng of people that had come out to see the other heroes of the Normandy in their return. Joker and Tali and all her friends… and Garrus. <br><br>Thinking of him she swallowed around a small lump in her throat, standing a little taller so nobody would know what she was thinking about. Thinking back to that day when she had woken in the hospital alone. It had been nothing short of a miracle that she had been found in the rubble before her injuries had become too much. If she had been completely human she would have died, as one of the doctors often pointed out. And she’d almost wished she had, when she heard the Normandy was missing, the crew presumed dead. It seemed a cruel fate that she should survive while all of her comrades died, while those she cared most about died. Of course she put on a front, she was Commander Shepard after all, but those first few weeks were filled with nightmares entirely too similar to the ones that had plagued her in the last few months of the mission. She would admit that she had never actually expected to survive the war. Defeat the reapers, yes- but she had been prepared and willing to give her life to see it done. Alive and alone, she had felt rather lost at first… but then the news came. The Normandy had made contact with an outpost, was heading for Earth, and the crew was accounted for. Garrus was alive. <br><br>She had found that out a week ago, though it felt much, much longer. There was a flurry of activity to get ready for their arrival, of course, but she was rarely included. One of her major injuries had been a rather severe concussion, along with a few broken ribs- they seemed to think she was made of glass now. They’d even tried to stop her from being at the shuttle landing- at least until she threatened to never attend a single gala, party, or diplomatic dinner. That had changed their minds fast. <br><br><strong>”Commander, the Normandy is five minutes out.”</strong> Hackett’s words cut through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. Nodding quietly she lifted her gaze, seeing something glint in the sunlight. She took a deep breath, the many medals and commendations attached to her military jacket rising and falling, shining themselves in the light. A cheer began to rise up in the crowd, camera flashes going off as the ship came in for a landing. The red carpet was all laid out, leading from the landing pad right to her and the Admiral. The reporters were at the ready with the camera robots, hundreds of citizens standing all around- but that was all background to her. Her sharp blue gaze watched as her ship came closer and closer, swooping down like a majestic bird. It touched down gently and settled, the doors opening a moment later. Her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest, her gaze locked on the door as she tried not to fidget, waiting to see her crew, and Garrus at long last.
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 07:42:18</strong>
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				It had taken a long week for Joker and EDI to work out and fix the damage the crash landing had caused to the Normandy. The drive core was depleted, communications were shot, weapons systems were out, not that the last one had mattered much at that point. The war was over, no one aboard was positive of that, but that's how it felt to Garrus, like an end. The thought itself was hard to comprehend, he'd fought someone or something for so long, it was hard to accept the thought that the war could actually be over. That the Reapers could actually have been defeated. Though that wasn't the only thing on his mind, nor the most important to him. The images kept running through his mind of flying off for the last time and seeing Aria run towards that beam, thinking it was the last time he would ever see her. He was still holding on to hope, but in the back of his mind he knew it was a false hope. The entire time he was stuck on that strange planet, he couldn't help but think that he should have been with her. Garrus hated himself for letting her go alone, his commander, abandoning her.<br><br>That is, until EDI got the communications array back up and running and immediately used it to contact Alliance HQ and Admiral Hackett. The best part being, Aria survived, like she always did. Somehow, someway, and as he heard the news Garrus' heart rose and was elated. Though he never outwardly showed it, that just wasn't who he was, he was a soldier and he expected death to be a natural occurrence and order of the day. But this, this was more joy than he'd felt since long before the war started, like a great weight lifting off his shoulders and as each hour and day passed he longed to see his commander again all the more. <br><br>Alliance crews eventually located the Normandy's wreckage and quickly got her back up and running again and in a few days was spaceworthy. Wasting no time, the ship set a course for Earth, where a celebration had been assembled for the triumphant return of the heroes of the Normandy and crew of Commander Shepard. But none of that mattered to Garrus, he'd done his duty and helped to stop the Reapers, the accolades didn't matter. All that mattered was Aria.<br><br>Garrus was standing in the cockpit behind Joker and EDI as they were docking the ship at the spaceport. He could see all the people that had gathered there, hundreds, with reporters and Alliance officials and anybody else that was important and was supposed to be there. But he couldn't see Shepard, as his eyes darted side to side, while trying not to look too anxious. And with a slight, but sudden stop the ship docked as the docking bay doors opened. Garrus didn't want to give away the anxious feeling he had, as he stepped out of the ship as one of the last as they made their way down the ramp. There at the bottom, finally, he could see her. Aria standing side by side with Hackett, waiting for them. He had to fight the sudden urge to run to her as the crew strode down to them, lining up in front orderly as the Admiral had prepared some words for the occasion. Garrus now, only feet away from his love, stared at Aria and his mandibles flared from excitement.<br><br>"Commander." He said with a nod, his voice inflecting both confidence and relief, with some longing mixed in.
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 08:19:14</strong>
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				Aria stood silent and stoic, watching as the door opened. There was a moment where time just seemed to stop, everybody holding a collective breath. Then… Tali stepped out. Aria felt a moment of disappointment, but it was brief. Then she smiled, happy to see her long time friend. Tali was followed by Liara, some of the soldiers, Specialist Traynor, Vega… where was- Garrus finally stepped out. Aria inhaled softly, her smile widening for a brief moment before she remembered where she was. Garrus was followed by Joker and EDI. She glanced to them briefly, to see they were alright, especially Joker with his condition, but then her gaze flitted back to Garrus. She shifted from one foot to the next, fighting the same temptation not to run to him. <br><br>And she resisted, smiling only a little as the crew came and lined up before them. Cameras flashed in the background and for a few moments the cheers were deafening as Joker an EDI stood before Hackett and Garrus stood before her. And that was about the time she decided to hell with it- that she’d had just about enough of acting the proper soldier all the time. She had survived a suicide mission and defeated the reapers, she had gone weeks thinking her love was dead- now he stood before her alive… what did she care what people thought? Or what was planned? Hackett was just about to take a step forward to begin his speech when suddenly Aria stepped forward instead. <strong>”Garrus.”</strong> She greeted him in return, grinning before she leaned up- her arms going around his neck, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss. It was not the way a commander greeted a crew member… but it was the way throughout history that loved ones had greeted each other when reunited again. Some things didn't change no matter the generation, culture, or race. Of course the crowd pretty much went crazy- but she didn’t really care. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 16:46:45</strong>
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				It was a small wonder and shock to see Aria forego every regulation and standard protocol of procedure as she stepped forward and embraced him. But, he loved it, they were both renegades and if not for them the entirety of the galaxy would be crushed under a proverbial Reaper bootheel right now. Still he hesitated at first when she walked face to face with him and put her arms around him, before Garrus wrapped his arms around her lower back. And as he did he returned the passionate she gave to him, something that used to be an odd gesture to Garrus. Kissing wasn't something very common for Turians, the hard ridges around their mouths making something like that uncomfortable in most cases, but Garrus had practiced and taught himself how to do it, to make Aria happy. She always seemed fond of it. So he flexed his mouth as best he could as they met in embrace. <br><br>"Saren. The Collectors. The Reapers..." Garrus said with a chuckle as they had finally stopped kissing after several seconds, but still holding eachother. "I'm not sure if there's anything left in this galaxy that can kill you... either way, I'm never leaving you again, Aria." He continued, making sure to say Aria now, and not Shepard or Commander. That's what he always called her before, to show respect to the chain of command. But he didn't care about that anymore, it didn't matter anymore to him. He was holding the woman he loved in his arms now, and not a superior officer. <br><br>The crowd was wild and deafening, but were hardly noticeable to Garrus at that moment. Even Hackett, standing a few steps beside them had a grin upon his face from the sight of their embrace. The Admiral now turned to his side and faced the crowd, as Shepard, Garrus, and the rest of the Normandy crew stood behind. He raised a hand to try and silence the crowd, and as he did the noise fell. "The crew of the SSV Normandy. I think it's fair to say none of us may be standing here today without the acts of bravery in the line of fire, shown by each and every member of its distinguished crew. A crew filled with Humans, Turians, Quarians, Asari, and more. Showing that we all can work together, all of us. They are the example of what we can accomplish, if we set aside prejudice and bias, and work for the greater good. Thanks to their efforts, we have survived the greatest threat any of us has ever faced, and no manner of words or accolades can ever show them the true depths of our gratitude." The Admiral exclaimed to the crowd as the rest stood behind him. Garrus and Aria were facing the crowd now and his arm was around the back of her neck, as his hand rested onto her shoulder. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 19:39:22</strong>
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				Aria knew that later, behind closed doors, somebody might express displeasure at her actions. It wouldn’t be Hackett, who’d mentioned repeatedly during his visits to the hospital to see her that she should go retire and enjoy her life now. But some higher up bureaucrat who didn’t know her wouldn’t be happy. They wouldn’t like that it was unplanned, they wouldn’t like that she was showing ‘unprofessional’ feelings towards a former crew member, and perhaps they wouldn’t even like that she was kissing an alien.&nbsp; She didn’t care. What could they do to her? Kick her out of the military? They’d put her under house arrest after working with Cerberus and she’d still saved the galaxy. Aria would always fight to protect others, but she couldn’t give a damn sometimes about rules or regulations. Truthfully, if she had, things might have ended up very differently. <br><br>So she didn’t feel the least bit guilty about kissing Garrus. It was feeling his arms around her, though, that really hit her. He was back, they were together again. Even when the kiss ended she didn’t let go, leaning back a little and smiling up at him. <strong>”Losing you might have done it… I’m glad you’re back.”</strong> She tells him, speaking low enough that the microphones wouldn’t pick it up. She wasn’t afraid to admit to him that thinking him dead had affected her that deeply, but she didn’t care to admit it to the rest of the population too. <br><br>After their embrace, Hackett stepped forward. Aria felt a hand on her shoulder and glancing back smiled at Joker. She noticed he was holding hands with EDI. Somewhere along the way the SSV Normandy had fostered quite a few romances, she thought to herself, before turning her head to listen to Hackett’s speech. Her hand moved down to wrap around Garrus’s side, while his arm draped across her shoulder. Somehow it all just felt so <em>right</em>. This was the best possible ending that could have been expected after the war. It was an ending she had never dared to entertain. For a moment she felt a ping of sadness. The best possible ending… except for those who were missing. Anderson, who had been almost like a father figure to her, Mordin, Thane, Legion, and Ashley… so many lives lost… but she also knew that they had not been lost in vain. They had all died honorable deaths, and she was sure they would be celebrated as heroes just as much as the rest of them. Aria looked out over the crowd, reflecting on all that had happened in the last fears years, all the toil and hardship. Then she looked up at Garrus again and smiled softly. They had certainly earned the happy life ahead of them.
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>15-10-2012, 21:10:35</strong>
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				The pageantry and showering praise of the reunion wasn't something Garrus particularly liked. After all that had been lost, the people needed to be worried with rebuilding and mourning their lost loved ones. What Shepard, him, and the rest of the crew did was an amazing feat, but he didn't need the ego boost. All he could think about during the entire time was finally being alone with his love. And there were few opportunities for it. After Hackett's speech a ceremony was held to honor Shepard and her crew, alongside all those who'd died. They pinned a few medals on his chest and he nodded in gratitude, but that wasn't his focus. <br><br>"So when all this is over, what are you going to do Commander?" Garrus finally spoke, at a point where he could get a word in to Aria. "Sit back somewhere nice and watch the sun set on a beach every evening?" He said again leaning over and whispering into her ear, this time with a slight laugh afterwards, before he turned his head back straight again. He was getting tired of the tedium and length of it all after several hours. Eventually things died down however, as Garrus was talking to Joker and EDI sitted at a table now. He glanced over to see Shepar talking with what looked like some Alliance delegates, before they finally walked off. Quickly then, he got up from the table and made his way over there.<br><br>"You think we could sneak out of here? Without the entire galaxy falling apart again without you around for a few hours." Garrus quipped as he walked up behind her. They were inside now, after a long dinner, and it was getting late. Time, Garrus thought, for them to finally be free from all this and find somewhere private and alone... to get reacquainted with eachother. He moved his hands to rest them onto her hip and held them there gently as she was still faced the other direction. He pressed his chest into her back, not roughly, but enough for her to feel his presence behind her.
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 00:45:32</strong>
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				Aria had managed to talk the planners out of throwing a parade… but everything else they could do to celebrate the heroes was done, and done with far too much pageantry. She couldn’t help but think that all of the money spent on celebrating them would be better spent in other ways… like fixing London. They were all given the highest awards available in the Alliance military… and Aria suspected several new awards were created just for the occasion.&nbsp; There was also a lot of saluting and shaking hands. She’d admit the only part she paid any attention to was the touching speech Hackett gave in memory of Anderson and the others that weren’t there.<br><br>&nbsp;After, while the cameras continued to flash and the crowds cheered, Garrus leaned over to speak to her for a moment. Waving to the crowds a little she put on a smile, laughing along with him. <strong>”Something like that- hopefully with you sitting beside me.”</strong> She added. A year ago that had seemed like nothing more than a crazy fantasy. Part of her still felt she’d never be able to settle down and enjoy it… but she wanted to try.&nbsp; Anything away from civilization seemed like a good idea right now, really. She didn’t understand how people could stand around cheering for this long. <br><br>Luckily, the next event was more private. Military and alien diplomats at a fancy dinner. It was far too long of course for her taste, but at least it was quieter, and there weren’t as many cameras. Except now people had a chance to speak with her privately- and everybody wanted a private word with Commander Shepard if they could have it. She was offered at least half a dozen different positions on various committees or councils- even governorship over a colony! She politely refused them all, but it was wearing on her. <br><br>Finally, the last group walked away. Aria sighed, a hand reaching up and running through her blond hair. It was getting long. For a moment she idly thought of if she should cut it or not- then she heard Garrus speak up. Looking over her shoulder she smiled up at him. <strong>”Oh, it’ll cause a national panic I’m sure… but I don’t really care.”</strong> She jokingly remarks, gently leaning back against his frame as he stood behind her and held her. She was supposed to be the commander, strong and stoic… but she secretly loved how it felt when he stood with her like this. His large body towered over her just a little, making her feel protected and safe. It was a feeling that had been hard to come by during the war- that had always felt not quite real until now.&nbsp; She might have been happy to stand like this for hours- but then she thought of them finding somewhere more private, where they could take things a bit further. <strong>”Did you have any sort of place in mind?”</strong> She asks softly, her fingers stroking gently over his arm. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 01:28:09</strong>
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				"Somewhere nice and quiet... with just you, and me." Garrus replied to her, whispering sensually into her ear as he stood behind her. With his hand gently pushing her hips to the side and rocking side to side with her, simple "dancing" as Human's called it. Another act that was foreign to him, but had learned to do because his love liked it. Garrus' heart rose when she leaned back into him and they stood there, and for those few moments everything else had left from his mind and all the people and commotion around him seemed to fade away. It was just them right now and everything felt right to him, for once in so long. The side of his face and mandible pressed against the side of Aria's face compassionately, and Garrus was careful not to poke her with one of the hard ridges on his face or fringe. The feeling of her skin made his mandible flare again as he felt the strangest sensation of content right now he didn't want to end.<br><br>"I'm sure the Alliance gave you a big and fancy, luxurious suite somewhere we could go.&nbsp; Somewhere deserving of the savior of the galaxy." Garrus hinted to her again with a great longing in his voice, as he leaned in closer and his hands slid from her hips to her midsection. Garrus spun her around then looking deeply into her eyes, as they kept swaying with the light music that was playing. "You look tired... I think i could help you relax Commander." He added with extra sensualism in his voice inflection. Soon they started to make their way to the door, having nearly to fight their way. Garrus may have let slip a derogatory comment to a reporter hounding them for questions. Diplomats, Hackett, and others all watched them flee or were trying to get a quick word with Aria before she left. But they pushed through quickly enough. A limousine was already waiting for them outside when they climbed in, in a rush to get out of the madness.
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 01:50:26</strong>
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				<strong>”Mmm are you sure a place like that exists?”</strong> She teased again, her pulse quickening a hair as he whispered in her ear. Aria hadn’t even noticed the music in the background until he started to sway with it. She grinned, remembering the first time he’d come to her cabin, before they’d faced the collectors. He’d brought along music set he thought she’d enjoy and some wine. His advances had been awkward on occasion, but sweet as well. Feeling his mandibles rub along her cheek Aria closes her eyes for a moment, enjoying their closeness. She felt his mandibles flare and shift against her cheek and neck and smiled. <br><br><strong>”True… I do believe they mentioned something like that.”</strong> She practically purred in a sulty voice as he mentioned leaving. Opening her eyes she looked up to him, gasping a little with surprise as he spun her about. Her hands slid around behind his neck, holding on as he swayed with her. Anybody that had watched them in the past few minutes would no doubt be able to guess the topic of conversation from their body language, but she again didn’t really care. It had been a long day, she was tired of all these people and all this attention. All she wanted to do was be alone with Garrus- so as he led she followed, holding his hand as he started to cut through the crowd to leave. Hackett caught her eye for a brief moment and smiled, lifting his glass in a toast- then a reporter cut in front of her and tried to ask her about her plans for the future- even though it was a question she had answered a dozen times before. She swore until she declared she was running for a council seat they probably wouldn’t stop asking it.<br><br>Eventually, though, they broke out into the chilly night. Sighing in relief she smoothed out her military uniform, then followed Garrus the last few steps and into the waiting limo. She gave the location of her temporary penthouse to the driver then sat back, looking exhausted. <strong>”I swear I’d rather face Saren again than most of these paparazzi.”</strong> She muttered.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 02:26:32</strong>
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				"That actually sounds fun right now, dealing with all the vultures makes me want to take out my frustration on something." He said glancing to the side and looking at her as his mandibles went out slightly signaling a coy grin to her. He took a deep breath and sunk back into his seat beside her and realized they were still holding hands and he was holding hers a little tightly. He was afraid one of his talons may poke her so he loosened his grip a little. He liked the feeling of her soft skin against his hard exoskeleton, in the oddest ways. Two people that were so different on the outside, but so much alike in all the things that mattered. Garrus never would have believed it years ago, but she was perfect, regardless of what species she may be. Suddenly his attitude got more serious thinking about how close she'd come to dieing, believing that his fault. And his eyes went from contentedness to sadness thinking on the past, and perceived mistakes.<br><br>"Aria... I'm sorry. I abandoned you when you made a run for that beam. I should have been there with you, I never should have left you alone." He told her with great remorse in his voice. "I never will again." reassuringly he told her, staring into her eyes now sincerely.&nbsp; He leaned in&nbsp; and touched her soft lips with his own hard ridged mouth, after wrapping a arm around her neck. His other hand found its way back to her supportive hips and he could feel her arms embracing him around the neck as the kiss became more and more passionate. The windows&nbsp; up to the front seemed to be tinted, so he paid little attention to the driver far away up front in the long limo. He lifted&nbsp; his head for a moment and stopped kissing her as he closed his eyes, only savoring this moment all the more. He leaned his head up against hers and let out a deep breath, like lifting a weight off his shoulders. Today and all the people and celebrating were only a distraction, a distraction that was out of sight and out of mind. And now is was just the two of them, and he could finally release all the pent up and held back passion he'd wanted to show her since the moment he saw Aria again after the war had ended.
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 02:59:20</strong>
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				<strong>”Maybe we can snipe some bottles off the penthouse roof.”</strong> She suggested when he mentioned taking out his frustration on something. She didn’t even notice his grip was a little too tight, not until he loosened it. True sometimes the hardness of his exoskeleton was uncomfortable. Kissing wasn’t always perfect… but it would never stop her from wanting to be with him. The trust they shared, the feelings that had built over many life threatening situations… he had stayed with her when most of her alliance friends had turned their backs, when she had felt completely alone in fighting the reapers. After her two year ‘death’ Kaiden had met her with suspicion and anger. Garrus though had never questioned who she was, or where she stood. Nothing could match that trust. <br><br>Noticing his expression change, her own smile faltered slightly, a questioning look in her eyes as his own gaze grew sad. <strong>”No- Garrus… I told you to go. There’s no need to apologize.”</strong> She tells him, her own voice filled with sorrow. She did not want him to feel regret about her choices. Reaching out, she stroked her fingers along his mandibles as he leaned in. Again, they kissed. Her other hand reached out to wrap around his neck as her first cradled the side of his face. She didn’t even think about the driver. She’d waited all day to be alone with Garrus- this was close enough that she didn’t want to wait any more. She didn’t want him to feel sad, or to regret anything. As he pulled away she sighed slightly- their heads tilted together as one, forehead resting against forehead as they shared a quiet moment together. <strong>”I don’t know if you heard… but the illusive man was waiting at the other end of that beam… he shot Anderson…I couldn’t control myself… couldn’t stop him… and if you’d been there too…”</strong> She fell silent, her eyes burning a little and her throat pinching tight. She couldn’t even say it. That was her greatest regret in the war… being unable to fight the indoctrination… being forced to stand and watch as one of her closest friends was shot right in front of her. If Garrus had been there… and she’d had to watch him get shot too- well she wouldn’t have been able to live with herself. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 03:42:44</strong>
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				"Anderson was a good man." He said, trying his best to comfort and reassure Aria. He didn't know David nearly as well as Aria did, but he knew that Aria thought of Admiral Anderson in the highest regards. And knew his death had to of effected her deeply, which could be heard in the sadness and regret in her voice. Garrus had heard the story, of how she made it to the beam, battered and bloody, and had to fight her way past The Illusive Man's indoctrination, the man he used to work for through Aria, before she finally destroyed The Reapers for good. Garrus knew his Commander was capable of great feats, but even he never would have imagined anyway able to overcome all of that. But, Aria always did. She always saved the day, when no one else could. Garrus found himself wanting now more than ever, to be a comfort in her life and a loving embrace for her to go to. She'd been through so much and looked out for so many other people, it was time someone started looking out for her. Letting her finally be able to rest easy, knowing things are going to be alright.<br><br>"If I'd been there too I would have ripped The Illusive Man a new one for trying to harm you." He said looking into her eyes, somewhat jokingly, but with a more serious tone as well. His rough hand gently brushed against her cheek as he kissed her with even more vigor this time. "But it's over now, it really is... it's almost too hard to believe. But its over, you did it Aria, what no one else could do." He spoke as he stared into her eyes. <br><br>"And I never doubted you a minute." This time he spoke with his normal expression and dry humor as his mandibles flared again by instinct. His eyes were locked on hers for several seconds. He wanted to do something to get her mind off the past and onto a brighter future that they held together. It was theirs now, all they had to do was get away from all this and they could finally live the life they wanted. "It sures is quiet back here... anything you thinking about?" Garrus asked her, confidence and sensuality pouring out of him now.
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				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 04:35:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>”I know you would have.”</strong> She met his gaze, smiling a little. Without his tricks and schemes the Illusive Man was nothing more than an egomaniac- he wouldn’t have lasted a second against Garrus’ rifle. He hadn’t lasted a second against her either, once she was able to break the indoctrination. Aria shook her head slightly, pushing away these dark memories of the past, and returned his kiss. <br><br>After, she listened to Garrus’ words, nodding quietly. Over. No more war. Part of her really couldn’t believe it. She had thought the lost feeling inside her before was from thinking her crew was dead, and that was most of it… but even now she felt… something missing. She had gone so long with one purpose. What purpose would she work towards now? <br><br>Perhaps… romance was enough of a purpose, at least for now, she decided. At his familiar tone she smiled. <strong>”I would hope not. It doesn’t do to doubt one’s commanding officer.”</strong> She teased before falling quiet for a moment, thinking about their future again. <strong>”Hm… oh… I was just thinking about our retirement together. Going to a nice secluded beach… having a place together all to ourselves…”</strong> She admits, leaning forward to kiss him again between some of her words. Her fingers stroked along his mandibles and she shifted closer to him on the seat.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 05:05:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Just you and me huh? I like the sound of that." Garrus replied as his arm found its way around her again, and it squeezed in between her back and the seat softly, resting his taloned hand upon her hip. His other was seductively placed along her inner thigh, the one nearest to him. And he gave her the coyest and most suggestive face a Turian was capable of making using their mandibles primarily. Immediately after kissing her again, this time longer than any previous as he was feeling the passion building up inside him, ready to run over. And as she scooted closer, he took that as a sure sign of what she may have in mind.<br><br>"You don't know how much I've missed you." He said with a great longing in his eyes, and even more so in his voice. And surprisingly both her and him, he lifted her up slightly as she straddled onto his lap, facing him. He placed his hands onto her firm thighs and rubbed them upwards, eventually resting them onto her sides. "I don't know how much longer the ride is... but we can always lock the door if we need to." He said with a humorous inflection before meeting her lips again and wrapping his arms around her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 05:27:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Feeling his hand on her inner thigh Aria felt her heart skip a beat. She was reminded just how long it had been since they’d slept together… too long, she thought to herself, before they shared another passionate kiss. A long lasting kiss. Her body felt warmer, arousal stirring within her.<br><br><strong>”I think I can venture a guess…”</strong> She remarks, her own voice filled with heat and desire as she met his gaze. When he lifted her up her breath hitched, a definite look of surprise flitting across her face. But then he set her down on his lap, and she smiled a slow, seductive smile.&nbsp; Her hands reached out, smoothing over his chest, coming to rest on his shoulders as she felt his own hands traverse her body. <strong>”Sounds good to me.”</strong> She didn’t argue the idea- it was kind of hot, and she really wasn’t sure she had the patience to wait any more. Leaning forward she kissed him again, her soft breasts beneath her jacket pressed to his hard chest. She felt the individual medals on both of their shirts- it was rather annoying.<br><br>Aria kissed him a moment longer, then reached between them, starting to undo the buttons on her military jacket, revealing a simple black bra underneath. There was a scar like a crescent moon carving under her left breast and a small slash to the right of her navel. The doctors had assured her they'd fade in time, and if she wanted they could medically erase them... but her and Garrus had a running joke about each other's scars, so she'd decided to keep them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 05:40:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Garrus could see the noticeable new marks along her body and ran his fingers by them. "It looks like The Reapers did get a few pieces of you, but not nearly enough." He said with some dry humor as his hand slid upwards from her abdomen and firmly onto her breasts. They always seemed odd and awkward shaped to him, seemingly would get in the way all the time. But Aria always seemed to love the way he touched them, and her responce to it always aroused himself all the more.<br><br>"But I'm still winning." He told her as his mandible flared sarcastically and he turned his head to the side, showing where he'd taken that rocket on Omega to the face and left a large permanent mark. Then he tried to pull his Turian military colors off his chest that he'd been given to wear before the ceremony. Eventually, with some effort he was able to pull it off. Revealing the metallic exoskeleton of his chest to his lover. He leaned forward again and put his arms around her, this time undoing the strap holding her bra as it fell in between them and he gazed at her breasts. Which he'd grown an attraction to over time, along with the rest of her. He began to undo her pants for her, unbuttoning&nbsp; the top button and sliding the zipper down.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 06:02:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>”You think they should have taken more?”</strong> She asked, arching an eyebrow at him skeptically. Feeling his hands flow over her chest she shifts a little on his lap, her breasts pressing into his touch, inviting him to continue. She knew he had taken time to find an attraction in her body. She’d admit at first she had tried to ignore her own feelings for him. Nothing about a relationship with an alien was easy, especially when you added public scrutiny. But by now she just honestly couldn’t imagine being with somebody else. His humor, his kindness, his loyalty had all won her over.<br><br>Especially his humor, she thought with a smile as he showed off the scar from the rocket. <strong>”I can’t say I’m actually trying to beat you.”</strong>&nbsp; She pointed out, helping him remove his military attire before he moved on to her bra. She would admit she had never thought about having sex in the back of a limo… but again she hadn’t thought about a lot of things she could do after the war was won.&nbsp; As her bra fell away her breasts gently bounced, the pinkish nipples slightly perked. As he moved on to her pants Aria shifted in her seat, helping to make it easier for him to continue undressing her. Her own hands stroked along his chest exoskeleton and over his arms.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 06:30:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Good, you've got to stay pretty for all the cameras." He said with a laugh as he was able to pull Aria's pants down to her knees after she helped him slightly lifting herself up. His hands went back up her body as he leaned into her for another kiss after she'd gotten her pants off completely. His hands rubbed up her back and one rested behind the back of her head cradling it as he paused for a moment just to look at her and realize that feeling of being in her arms again. It was exhilarating.<br><br>"I wonder what the headlines would say if anyone caught us in here like." He told as her hands caressed down the harsh exterior of his chest. "But then, I don't care much anymore." He said to her. Now leaning back into the seat situating himself to try to get his pants off as he fumbled with the button and trying to pull them down. But failing to as she was mounted on top of him. Instead, he rubbed his hands sensually up her legs, feeling the goosebumps that had formed on her skin, always a sensation to feel on her that was a good sign to Garrus.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 07:04:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria laughed at the mention of cameras. <strong>”Well with that in mind maybe I should go find some Krogan to pick a fight with.”</strong> She remarked while continuing to undress with his assistance. After her pants were pulled down they paused for another kiss. She felt his arms wrap around her once again, holding her to him as they shared a passionate kiss. She would admit, though, she was eager by this point for more. <br><br><strong>”I think the headlines would say that Commander Shapard knows how to have a good time.”</strong> She jokes, smiling as her hands rubbed down his sides. She was completely naked by now, her panties having been pulled down with her pants. If anybody saw them now it would be a total scandal. It’d be on the news for weeks if not months. But what did she care? He was all that mattered to her right now. As his hands rubbed up her legs she sighed softly, clearly enjoying it. But a moment later she swung off his lap, giving him room to finish getting himself undressed. When he did she climbed right back on his lap, grinning with excitement she didn’t even try to hide or contain.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 07:18:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With her assistance he was able to get his pants down revealing his naked body to her and she quickly climbed back on top. He was already erect and ready when she climbed back on top, all the kissing and the bottled up feeling for weeks finally boiling over had done the trick for him. He leaned up to her again, his left arm wrapped around her midsection as he looked up at her with both lustfull, and love filled eyes. His right slid down her back, caressing it before brushing past her back side and grabbing the base of his manhood and lifting it. It made contact with Aria's vagina, making a small slapping noise at it did. And she raised her body up just enough for Garrus to insert himself into her, as the the outer folds spread open to welcome the Turian inside. Garrus didn't say anything, he didn't think he needed to as he began to feel the warmth inside of her and pushed deeper. <br><br>"Ah..." He gasped alongside a moan, and quick rush of pleasure. The feeling was rejuvenating, and long overdue for him. His hands rested on her hips, ever so slightly pushing downwards, as he looked up into her eyes. Staring into them, with his mouth opened a bit from from the sudden relief he could feel throughout his body. And he could see the look on her face of satisfaction, and it made Garrus all the more happy that this was happening. Someone could have opened the door then and there, and he wouldn't have cared or stopped now. This meant too much to them both.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 08:01:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As she moved back to straddle his hips Aria noticed that Garrus was already erect and ready for her. She remembered the first time sleeping with him, how surprised she had been that this one part of his body was soft. His member wasn’t quite human, but it was closer than she had expected it to be. Glancing up from his lap she met his gaze, her eyes reflecting the same emotions back at him. Love and desire burned together like a flame. She felt his hand caress her lower back- then he reached down. Aria’s hands linked behind his neck, her fingers brushing the back of his fringes, her soft touches filled with affection. A moment later his cock slapped against her folds, making her gasp and sit up a little straighter in surprise. Her face flushed- and then she sighed with pleasure, feeling him guide his member inside her. <br><br>Sinking down on top of him her sigh turned into a moan that echoed his. It felt so good having him inside her. It really had been far too long. His length felt warm and thick, filling her, stretching her. As he pulled her down more and more she arched in his lap and moaned a little more, clearly enjoying his attention.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>16-10-2012, 19:56:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Soon, Aria had enveloped most of Garrus' manhood as she rested for a moment there on his lap and stretched, arching her back with a moan. His hand caressed down between her breasts, and rested atop her naval as she bent herself backwards a little. His other hand was laid upon her right thigh. After his member was inserted nearly all the way in, he could feel Aria begin to rock her hips forwards and backwards on top of him. Going slowly at first, but gradually picking up speed. His own hands started to push and pull on her legs and hips, urging her to go faster. <br><br>"Yes Aria." He said to her, with a pleasured tone and a moan on the end of it. Her grinding felt so amazing, and this was exactly what Garrus needed right now. He'd been away from his love for too long. So he took charge some, thrusting upwards into her now as she rocked slightly. Her strong, battle hardened body, started to go faster and faster as the pleasure they were both experiencing grew. He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her close to his chest as they embraced without stopping. His moans became louder and more often. Then her rocking stopped for a moment, and Garrus started breathing faster. He was so lust filled then, that out of instinct he began thrusting upwards into her harder now, forcing her hips and rear to buck up. And as her hips would come down again he would push up creating a euphoric rhythm.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 00:29:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After settling down on his cock all the way Aria remembered, belatedly, that even while the driver could not see back here he would probably be able to hear them if they got too loud. Starting to rock her hips she tried to keep quiet… and she managed… at first. She moved slow, rocking back and forth on his lap, riding his member. God she’d forgotten how good this felt. Parting her lips she started to breathe heavily, continuing to gyrate against him, the pace increasing. She felt his hands on her hips pulling and pushing with her rhythm, edging her on, encouraging her to pick up the pace. And she did- biting her lip and closing her eyes as a look of pleasure swept over her expression, her hips in constant motion.<br><br>It felt sooo good, so amazing. <strong>”Ah!”</strong> Feeling him thrust up to meet her she cried out softly in surprise, her eyes popping open as her inner muscles squeezed around his length. Her eyes burned with lust, her hands clenching on his shoulders as she began to rock more eagerly now.&nbsp; She didn’t think about the driver, or what he might be overhearing. The world was just the two of them, this moment, this pleasure. They embraced each other, her breasts brushing his hard exoskeleton chest repeatedly as she started to work herself into a real frenzy atop him. Her moans grew louder, more passionate, more urgent- she was nearing the edge. The pleasure intensified, until her moves started to fumble and lose their original rhythm. The pleasure so intense it distracted her from her rhythm- but right at that moment he picked it up, and her sounds of pleasure grew even more as he began to thrust up into her. So close, so very close- <strong>”Ohhhh Garrus!”</strong> She cried out, her hips suddenly bucking hard before her body tensed and orgasm burst over her. Her sex clenched again and again and she moaned, quivering as her mind spiraled in pleasure.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 01:27:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He loved the feeling of her soft breasts against his hard metallic chest, and the way she was starting to moan and yell loudly, not caring about where they were. And that gave Garrus the confidence to moan and yell along with. "Ah! Ah yes!" He exclaimed, in agreeing with Aria, sharing the same pleasure and passion as her. He could see her face, pure pleasure and enjoyment etched across as she clenched her eyes shut and bit her lips. Until Garrus rammed upwards into her and that made her eyes open wide again and stare right at him. The way she looked, and how he thought he was pleasing her was a great and exhilarating feeling for Garrus. And he became all the more bold pushing harder, and faster now, picking up the pace as fast as it had been yet.<br><br>Her hands were tightening, gripping his shoulders tightly as each thrust and motion brought them more and more pleasure, and closer to orgasm.&nbsp; Then he could both hear it and feel it, Aria was going to orgasm. Her breath quickened, and her moans grew more frequent and louder, she was consumed with pleasure. And he could feel her legs tighten around him, and her pussy squeeze, practically begging for his member to please her more. It felt so amazing to Garrus, stimulating him physically and mentally, seeing Aria like this. Then, wildly, she bucked into him and clenched hard as her body writhed in orgasm, but Garrus held her tight and pounded upwards into her feeling his own orgasm not far off. And with a loud grunt, and a stifled shout he held back, he shoved himself in as far as he could and his body stiffened. "Gah!" He finally yelled as he was trying to take a breath, and his orgasm hit him like a wave of pure euphoria hitting his entire body. His seed began to spew inside her. Several long weeks worth of desire and hoping coming to fruition in this glorious moment as the lovers shared an orgasm together. Garrus' orgasm was long and powerful, and when it finally ended his body went limp and he breathed heavy, holding Aria tightly to him still. They laid there for a while it seemed, just enjoying the moment in one anther's arms as he gave Aria a kiss, looking into her exhausted, but pleased eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 03:58:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Even as she came she felt his arms around her tighten, keeping her in place as she shattered and moaned, completely losing it. So many times in her line of work she had to maintain the strictest control, had to take the weight of the world- of the galaxy- on her shoulders… this was one of those few times she was allowed to let it all go. She was allowed to be out of control. She loved it. The pleasure washed over her, and in that moment that was all that was. Pleasure radiating through her, wracking her body as he continued to thrust hard inside her. Her breasts bounced with each thrust and she moaned even louder.<br><br>Then she heard him grunt and felt him reach his own orgasm, moments after her. She groaned with pleasure, her arms wrapping softly around his neck as she rest her head against his, breathing heavily. His seed gushed and gushed inside her, making her gently shudder, inner walls occasionally spasming and clenching down in lingering aftershocks of her own orgasm. She moaned again, softly this time, her hips gently churning. The most intense pleasure of her orgasm had passed, but feeling his length twitching and pumping inside her made it impossible to completely calm down. She continued to gently moan and writhe until he was done, where her body went limp and soft against him. She closed her eyes, nuzzling against him and sighed, only opening her eyes again when he kissed her shortly after. Smiling softly she brushed her nose against his cheek. <strong>”I’m definitely looking forward to doing that more often.”</strong> She admits quietly, her voice filled with warmth and satisfaction. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 05:19:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Still breathing heavy from the great relief that coursed through his body, Garrus was leaning his head back when she finally spoke to him. Insider her, his member was still twitching from time to time, seemingly involuntary, at the feel of her inner walls and the warm seed that filled it. Yet it had receded and was no longer hard and erect. His head brushed against her cheek, nuzzling it ever so slightly passionately. "You and me both." Garrus replied to her with a equally as satisfied voice. Her face then pulled up slightly as he looked into her beautiful eyes for a moment and caressed her cheek with the palm of his hand.<br><br>But then suddenly to both of their suprise the door of limo to the right opened with the driver standing outside and peering in with a look of shock. Apparently, the vehicle had stopped, and they were so overcome with pleasure they hadn't even noticed it. Garrus did his best to quickly yank his pants up and urge the driver to shut the door in a very rude manner. There were paparazzi standing outside with plenty of cameras of course, So Garrus used his wide frame to cover as much of Aria's body as he could while she frantically got redressed. He struggled at first but eventually got his pants up and stayed in his position blocking her body from the reporters while she finished. As soon as she was done, he reached down and grabbed his top uniform grasping it in his palm as they exited&nbsp; the vehicle, weaving their way through people before finally making it into the lobby. Garrus knew she had to of been embarrassed, and so was he to an extent, but couldn't keep himself from laughing a little at it all as they made way for an elevator quickly, headed for her private suite.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 05:48:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria could have stayed like that for quite a while- she enjoyed just being in his arms, nuzzling against the side of his face, gently sharing small affectionate touches such as that and reconnecting. However, the penthouse hadn’t been <em>that</em> far away. In fact, they had arrived- a fact revealed when the door began to open. <br><br>Aria heard the click of the handle being pulled about a second before it happened, then saw the first flash of a camera as the door began to open. <strong>”Shit-.”</strong> Cursing she scrambled off his lap and grabbed her pants from the floor of the limo. The driver stared at them in shock, taking much longer to react than she would have liked as several more flashes went off. The paparazzi outside were going nuts, shouting. She heard laughter, hooting and even cheering. Somebody shouted for the driver to step aside and let them see. Blushing scarlet she hid behind Garrus’ large frame and pulled her pants back on hastily, her other hand grabbing her shirt and bra. The driver had tried to shut the door, but had been jostled aside by reporters, eager to get a picture. Luckily years of needing to get up and rush off to battle at short notice made it so she was very capable of dressing quickly. In moments she was fully clothed, and thanks to Garrus the reporters probably hadn’t gotten too many pictures of her. <br><br>Unfortunately one picture though would be enough, multiplied a hundred times, carried by every news source… she had thought she didn’t care what people thought, but as she scrambled from the limo and followed Garrus inside she still felt upset and embarrassed. It was none of their business- and truthfully she didn’t want the whole world seeing her naked. It wasn’t very becoming, but on her way into the building several expletives were directed at the reporters, as well as a few threats. Finally reaching the elevator she sighed, leaning against the wall, and ran a hand through her hair. <strong>”You’re laughing… why are you laughing?”</strong> She asked, looking at him in disbelief and confusion.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 06:04:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well I just thought it was a little..." He stopped talking&nbsp; seeing the seriousness she held in her face and didn't finish his sentence. "Right... I'm sorry." He said, trying to get out of the small hole he'd already dug for himself. Garrus had a very bad habit of taking things nearly too lightly all of the time. He finished putting back on his outfit as the elevator ascended quickly. The ride was pretty quiet from then on. He could see the stressed look in her face, greatly contrasted by the carefree and happy expressions she held in the back of the limo, before being rudely awakened by the vultures, as Garrus liked to think of them.<br><br>"On the bright side... at least you didn't hit any of the reporters." Garrus said as the elevator stopped at their suite, trying to crack a joke. But she didn't seem all that comforted or entertained by it&nbsp; while entering. His mandibles flared, wondering what he should do now. He walked up behind her and put his hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be alright, I don't give a damn about what they do or say. We've done our duty and saved all of their asses more than once. I think we've earned the right to live a little." He told her as he stood behind.<br><br>Garrus walked to the window and looked out at the city landscape before him. "All this is enough to make a person want to just disappear... go to some backwater planet somewhere where no one can find you. Build a nice place, and live out your days in some peace and quiet." He said looking out, except there was an odd serious tone in his voice, unlike his normal one. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 06:39:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he started to speak she arched an eyebrow at him, clearly finding nothing funny about the situation. She knew tomorrow there was a good chance people would already be trying to diminish her accomplishments. They’d wonder about her relationship with all her male crew members, wonder if that was how she commanded a ship- not that she cared about ego, but she’d gotten a lot of grief from media over the years. She knew what would be said and she was tired of it.&nbsp; <br><br>Which was why bringing up that damn reporter Al- Jilani really didn’t make her feel any better. Scowling softly she looked out at the city through the glass of the elevator, her arms folding over her chest. <strong>”Well some of them probably would have deserved it.”</strong> She muttered, though she knew she didn’t mean it even as she said it. Still the way these reporters twisted stories it could go much deeper than her feelings- some of Jilani’s reports had hurt morale, and made diplomatic relations between humans and aliens worse. A lesser person probably would have punched her much sooner than Aria did. <br><br>Once the elevator doors opened Aria walked out into her suite. There was a massive window covering one wall, looking out over the city. Standing before it she gazed out on the shimmering lights, sighing as he put a hand on her shoulder. <strong>”Living a little is fine, but people respect us. I just wish this didn’t become the news story of the day.”</strong> She admits. That was what upset her. The stories celebrating the safe return of her crew members, or Hackett giving a wonderful speech, or the memorial of lost soldiers, all who deserved the attention much more, would be given a back seat to her and Garrus having a few moments of fun. And she didn’t want any more attention. <br><br>Apparently Garrus felt the same way. As he mentioned a backwater planet she looked up at him, standing beside him at the window. <strong>”Nothing’s stopping us. There are dozens of planets needing recolonization after the reapers. And we have the money. We could hop a shuttle and be living in paradise within a week.”</strong> She suggested, her voice serious.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 07:25:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Garrus looked at her as she replied to his remark about getting away from the life they'd been leading. "If you think that would make you happy, you know I would follow you anywhere." Garrus told her, his voice inflection still very serious as he gazed into her eyes. His arm found its way around her back and resting on her side again as he stood close to her. "Whereever we go, I don't think we'll find a big luxurious place like this. But we could make it home." He said, almost reassuringly now. They were both gazing out at the city now, it was already well into night time and it'd been a very long day, for both of them. Filled with many, many great and wonderful things, with a few bad mixed in. He wasn't happy about the somber mood it ended on, but Garrus was happy overall. He could feel that now, a content feeling that he hadn't had in a long time. They were still in the vipers nest as it were in the middle of this city. But he was with the woman he loved, and they were finally free to live their lives without a galactic crisis to attend to. That fact alone made him happy, and he wouldn't have changed or traded the day for anything in retrospect.<br><br>Later on they finally found their way to bed. A large king size one, that could have fit another two or three people probably. But it was too damned soft for Garrus's tastes. He was too used to military sleeping quarters he guessed to appreciate these "finer" things. Aria had always seemed to like having his arm draped over her while she slept, so he would sleep on his side for her. An odd position for him because of the shape of his torso that would strain his neck, but he compensated with extra pillows. And as they finally turned out the lights and laid there he couldn't seem to let sleep take him. Exhausted and wore out from the day entirely, yet still he couldn't sleep. Almost from a fear that this was a dream, and he truly wasn't laying next to Aria. And he'd wake up back on the Normandy stuck on that strange planet. He could feel her breathing get deeper and slower, thinking she likely had fallen asleep. So he readjusted his body slightly to something more comfortable until sleep finally took&nbsp; him for the night.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 07:48:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She looked up at him, smiling softly as he agreed to follow her. <strong>”I know, and I appreciate it.”</strong> She tells him, leaning against him as he wrapped an arm around her side. She knew he had made many adjustments in his life to try and make her happy- small things like learning to dance and kiss… but he was also willing to follow her pretty much to the end of the galaxy and back. Of course she would give her life for him- but it always seemed like he was the one actually going out of his way to make her happy. <strong>”I don’t care about luxury- at least not this much. I think it’d just be nice to move somewhere quieter.”</strong> She admits, resting her head against his side as she yawns softly. She already felt her feelings about the paparazzi cooling. It probably wasn’t so much a big deal. Joker would probably get a laugh out of it… though he got a laugh out of most everything. <br><br>Either way, she pushed it from her thoughts for the rest of the night. Aria showed him around a little bit, though she had a feeling this wouldn’t be their permanent home. She ended the tour with their bedroom, where by that point she was just about ready to pass out. Climbing into bed with Garrus made all the bad of tonight seem completely irrelevant compared to the good. Her crew was back and safe and Garrus was by her side. She didn’t give a damn what any reporter said about them as long as they were together. <strong>”I love you Garrus.”</strong> She whispers softly kissing him, before turning over and settling down to sleep. She felt his arm around her torso, holding her close to him, and it did make her feel at peace. She had missed him so much. Aria shifted a little, snuggling closer to him, then closed her eyes. As tired as she was it did not take her long, like it did him, to fall asleep. In short order she was deep asleep.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 16:31:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The following morning, Garrus had woken up before Aria and rolled out of bed. For a few minutes he walked around taking in the suite and looking out over the city. He got dressed, and ordered some food up to their room for Aria. They didn't have any dextro-amino foods there for him, but Garrus wasn't that hungry and could get something later anyway he felt. It was delivered shortly after as Garrus took the large platter and laid it on a table, waiting for Aria to awake.<br><br>"Lets see what's on." Garrus muttered to himself, turning on a large VI interface on the far wall that turned into a TV. It was already on the news when he did, and of course the first things he heard were reporters talking about what had happened the night before. "Yesterday was a day for reunions and celebration. And some were partying harder than others. Commander Shepard herself was caught in the back of a limo returning to her hotel suite with Garrus Vakarian, a Turian military officer and longtime crew member of the Normandy. It seems the Commander has been--" The reporter was cut off by Garrus quickly turning it off after hearing Aria stirring and the door to her room open up. She then walked in, "Morning."&nbsp; He greeted her standing up. "I got them to bring something to eat up,&nbsp; I hope you like it. Wasn't sure what you would want." He said admitting, Garrus was still trying to make up for his blunder the night before.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 20:19:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Aria woke the next morning the space beside her in bed was empty. With a yawn she gave a stretch, wincing as still healing injuries gently protested.&nbsp; Still, they felt a lot better than they had last week, or the week before that. In no time they’d be nothing more than just another battle scar. Aria got up and stretched a little more, then walked towards the door. It was slightly cracked open, so as she neared it she could hear a voice speaking in the main room. A voice mentioning her name. Frowning she opened the door and stepped through just in time to see the tv flick off, the face of a reporter disappearing immediately. <br><br>Looking away she gave no comment, pretending she hadn’t heard it as she walked into the room. There was nothing she could do to change what the news reporters would say, so best to probably just ignore it she figured. She wanted to enjoy her day with Garrus. As he greeted her Aria smiled, walking over. <strong>”Oh thank you, it smells great.”</strong> She looked over to the table, seeing a plate of eggs and bacon and toast. She leaned up to kiss him on the side of his face, then walked into the kitchen. <strong>”I hope you don’t think I was upset at you last night Garrus… the reporters just weren’t what I was expecting. I’m not used to the idea of them trying to find out about my personal life.”</strong> She admits. At least during the war her choices in battle had been a distraction. But now they’d be digging up other things. Again she thought about the idea of leaving, going somewhere else.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>17-10-2012, 22:07:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Garrus didn't say anything back, only nodding in agreeing with her as she spoke her mind. He walked over to her as she was seated, nibbling at her food. His hands gently rubbed her shoulders, giving her a small massage for a few seconds before sitting next to her. "And I thought stopping the Reapers was hard, nothing compared to mass media." Garrus told her with a chuckle, trying as best he could to lighten her mood. He could see it in her eyes, and hear the longing in her voice as she spoke. She had to have been mentally drained and exhausted, not only from the past few days or weeks, but years since this all began what seemed a lifetime ago. <br><br>"Maybe its time we left then Commander." He said to her, with his usual coy tone as she took a bite of some bacon. "Shepard and Vakarian saving the day, then riding off into the sunset. Sounds like a perfect ending to me." Garrus continued as she sat and listened. He stood up and paced back to the huge window over looking the city and let out a sigh watching all the vehicles fly by and the bustling of it all. He turned back around to her. "It sounds like a good idea to me. Where do you think the savior of the galaxy would want to settle down." He said leaning up against the counter now looking upon Aria.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>18-10-2012, 00:31:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After her comment Aria sat down, picking up a fork to begin eating. She noticed there was no food for him at the table and was about to ask about it when she felt his hands rubbing her shoulders, distracting her. Aria closed her eyes and let out a sigh, clearly enjoying it as he rubbed some of the tension from her back. Even if it was brief she appreciated it. Hearing him mention the reapers a moment later Aria laughed with him, looking up at him. <strong>”You were allowed to shoot the reapers, though.”</strong> She points out, her tone lighter and happier as she gave him a smile.<br><br>Mention of leaving didn’t ruin her good mood, but she did look thoughtful. They had mentioned it several times now, but it wasn’t such a simple decision. She had fought hard to save Earth… should she really let fear of media scrutiny chase her away from it? The thing was… Earth had never been her true home. She’d grown up on a colony. She cared deeply for humanity itself, but Earth had kind of always just been another planet to her. Colony planets could be dangerous though, especially if their desire was to settle down and eventually start a family… there was a lot to think about if she looked that far away… but who knew if that was really even a topic for them to discuss yet? She wasn’t sure about what pace they should set to their relationship, or where they even were in their relationship.<br><br>Aria sighed. Civilian life was just so different from what she was used to. <strong>”Well, you know, I wasn’t the only savior… is there anywhere you’d like to go? Maybe Palavan? I haven’t heard much about how it’s been doing since the war ended.”</strong> She mentioned, knowing perhaps Garrus might want to return to his home world.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>18-10-2012, 03:05:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The last time I saw Palaven it was burning... I'm not sure I could go back. It's like having your house burned down, then having to go back and walk in the rubble thinking about what it used to be." He said with a great deal of pain in his voice, nodding his head down.&nbsp; Lingering it there for a moment in silence, the memories coming back to him of being on that moon and watching The Reapers storm into his home's atmosphere. "But my family is alive, Solona and father. They were able to last." He finally spoke again after a long quiet, as if in mourning for the countell dead of Palaven. <br><br>"Palaven will survive and thrive again, in time. But some memories are best left buried." He said as his hands clenched together, resting them on the table. He let out a deep breath and sigh looking at the table, then glancing&nbsp; to his side back at Aria.<br><br>"No, I think I'd like to go somewhere that hasn't been blow to hell. Somewhere that's still beautiful, and isn't filled with bad memories." He told her, gazing into her eyes, with an unusual longing in his flanged voice.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>18-10-2012, 04:23:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing the pain in his voice Aria got up from her chair and went to him. Like he had comforted her several times since he’d arrived, she now tried to return to favor, reaching up to rest a hand on his shoulder as he told her he did not wish to return to Palaven. Aria simply nodded in understanding. Maybe she had been able to return to Earth because it wasn’t as badly damaged, or because she hadn’t been as connected to it, but she could see how it might be hard. She’d never returned to Mindoir, the colony where she had grown up before slavers had captured everyone. She was relieved for him to hear his family was doing well. He was luckier than a lot of people in that respect. She wondered if one day she might meet them- truthfully she couldn’t imagine what Garrus’ sister might be like. <br><br><strong>”A fresh start for the both of us then.”</strong> She tells him, smiling as she reaches out a hand to stroke along his jaw as he gazed down at her. <strong>”If you don’t want to give up the nice digs I was offered governorship last night of a colony.”</strong> She tells him, clearly joking as she smiles.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>18-10-2012, 05:49:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Governor Aria Shepard." Garrus exclaimed, sarcasm in his voice. "There wouldn't be a better run colony in the galaxy." He said again, his joking tone still strongly prevalent. He nuzzled the side of his face against her hand as she brushed his jaw line with it. he clasped in inside his own hand, feeling her soft skin again. Always a great contrast he loved experiencing. On a whim and urge he drew closer to her, putting his hands onto her hips and gazing at her.<br><br>"So when are we gonna make a break for it?" He asked her, some teasing in his voice and the way his mandibles flared slightly before coming back to his face. His hands ran around her waist as his three digits on each hand interlocked and he held her there for a moment and embrace.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>18-10-2012, 06:18:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria laughed, though when she spoke it was with playful offense. <strong>”Hey- you don’t have to sound that skeptical about it! I did manage to run a ship after all.”</strong> She points out. They both knew of course that the last thing she’d want to do would be to become a politician. Every time she had gone near the citadel council she had just about lost her patience with the whole lot of them. <br><br>No, she just wanted to settle down somewhere quiet, without some responsibilities for a bit. As he held her hand in his own she smiled, stepping closer before he pulled her in. As his hands settled on her hips she slid her hands down to rest on his shoulders. <strong>”Well, I would like to spend some time with Tali and Joker and the others before we take off, and we should probably look up some places instead of just picking a random destination. But besides that… as soon as possible.”</strong> She answers with a shrug, continuing to smile as his hands moved against her body. Aria pressed a little closer to him, enjoying the freedom to constantly share affection with him like this. They had always kept it toned down a little bit on the Normandy, their focus on the work at hand.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>19-10-2012, 00:41:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I suppose we won't get much done here holding eachother, no matter how nice it may be. I suppose we should go find the rest of the crew. Then start looking up some prospective places on the extranet." He said as his arms slid off her back, his hands brushing against her back side as they did. He was already dressed and ready from being up for a while. So Garrus waited for Aria to finish eating and getting ready before they were ready to&nbsp; leave the suite.<br><br>When she had they headed out and of course there were more reporters waiting outside. "You think you're ready?" Garrus asked her as he turned facing her coming out of the elevator. Once they walked out there they would be houned with questions everywhere they went in the publics light.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>19-10-2012, 07:35:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>”Sounds like a good plan.”</strong> She agrees, reluctantly letting go and stepping back from him. Aria returned to the table to finish her meal, then headed back into her room to get dressed. She thought about wearing a dress, but even though there were no special occasions today requiring her military uniform she was just so used to dressing professionally.&nbsp; In the end she put on a simple dark red top and black pants- baby steps towards civilian garb she decided. <br><br>Shortly after that she was ready to go and they were in the elevator. And about to face the reporters. Aria sighed, nodding at his question. <strong>”Yes, I’m ready.”</strong> She sounded confident, like always- but her hand reached out, holding his before they stepped out into the mass of people. It made it so they wouldn’t get separated or pulled apart- but more than that she felt stronger with him at her side.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>20-10-2012, 05:39:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Naturally as they walked through the door chaos erupted. And it wasn't a shock to either Garrus or Aria, who were holding hands. Something the reporters certainly remarked on quickly and hounded them with questions. "My relationship is private and no ones business but our own." Garrus told a reporter who questioned Aria's fitness to be a leader if she made a habit of forming relationships with her crewmembers. That got Garrus very stirred up and pissed off. Then another question about rumors Garrus wasn't the only one Aria had a relationship as Kaidan Alenko's name came up to which Garrus didn't respond. <br><br>After answering the questions they forced their way through the crowd and got into their vehicle. Garrus sunk into his seat and took a deep long breath, with a sigh. His mandibles flared out in anger and frustration. "I'm glad that's over... for now." He said turning to Aria at his side, their hands were still clenching eachother as the vehicle sped off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>20-10-2012, 07:49:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria had known they would hound her, hound them both, the moment they stepped outside… but some of the questions she overheard still caught her off guard. Not only was she asked if she had a former relationship with Kaiden… but Mordin as well? Were these people crazy? The questions were so off base she actually ended up laughing at one- laughing in a reporter’s face didn’t go over very well. The woman began to ask her, rather hostilely, if the entire mission had been one big game to her. <strong>”No, far from it. And in case you forgot- we won. We’re still alive today- now I plan to go enjoy it, I suggest you all do the same and stop harassing the people who made it possible.”</strong> She did get a little snappy, but she didn’t care. She really couldn’t stand how stupid these questions were. Nobody wanted to ask her about letting the Geth live, or curing the Genophage. Nobody asked about the damage to other planets she had seen, or even if Cerberus was still a threat… no everybody just wanted to know about her relationship with Garrus. <br><br>Luckily within moments they pushed through and got in the limo. The moment the door was closed she sat back too, sighing with him- almost smiling at how similar their reactions were. <strong>”Yea… I wonder if everybody on the team has it this bad or if we’ve gotten all the attention.”</strong> She speculated, not at all shocked if the reporters had all camped out at her place. It certainly seemed like it. Shaking her head she shifted in her seat to cuddle with him a bit, deciding to enjoy the quiet ride together with him- grabbing peace where she could get it.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>20-10-2012, 17:52:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Garrus moved closer and embraced Aria as she cuddled beside him. "If they are then I'm sure Joker is loving the attention." He told her with a chuckle. "The rest though may be hating it as much as us, and who knows what kind of scrutiny EDI may be going through right now." He said, suddenly concerned and somewhat surprised the reporters never asked them questions about having an on board artificial intelligence on the Normandy. He wondered what would happen to her, she was pivotal to defeating the Reapers, but most would propably only see her as a dangerous AI, just like them. He brushed aside the concerned thoughts for a moment though.<br><br>"So I think sex is out of the question this ride." He said turning to her, clear sarcasm inflecting his voice. His eyes met hers and leaned in to give her a soft kiss, making sure not to press too hard against her with his metallic exoskeleton. Before raising back and leaning his head back into the seat, with his arm wrapped around her. "So where to first, Commander?" He asked her with a sigh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>20-10-2012, 21:16:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria smiled, rolling her eyes. <strong>”Yea, he’ll probably do something to steal the headlines before the week is out.”</strong> She remarks, hoping that might be the case. It’d be great if Joker stole some of the limelight. Though at the mention of EDI she realized that might be a point of trouble. For now people seemed to accept the idea of an AI walking amongst them, out of gratefulness towards their crew, but feelings could quickly change. If anybody did have a problem with EDI though they’d have to go through Joker, so Aria wasn’t too concerned. <br><br>At the mention of sex Aria looks up at him and smiles, shaking her head. <strong>”Sadly yes- but there’s always kissing.”</strong> She points out, before he leaned in and did just that. She returned the kiss happily, before breaking away a few moments later. She rest a hand on top of his arm, gently stroking her fingers back and forth. At his question she thought for a moment. <strong>”Let’s go check up on Joker and EDI. I wanna make sure nobody’s giving her grief about anything.”</strong> She decided. Even though she was pretty sure Joker could handle any problems she just wanted to make sure. He’d given her the address to the place he was staying at the night before so she passed the information on up to the driver.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>21-10-2012, 23:24:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The driver made a turn, headed in the direction of the address Aria had given him. Going to where Joker was supposedly staying, another hotel Garrus assumed. "You think they'll let you keep the Normandy, or put it in a museum somewhere." Garrus asked, somewhat jokingly, as he looked out the window at all the other cars passing by and the skyscrapers that dotted the cities. He could feel the vehicle begin to slow park in the garage of a hotel, assuming where the rest of the crew were.<br>&nbsp;<br>Garrus got out of his side, and was surprised to see no reporters as best he could tell. "Well no mass panic at the sight of us, that's a good sign." He said as he helped Aria out of the vehicle, holding her hand. Before they began walking towards the entry to the hotel lobby.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>24-10-2012, 23:52:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria seemed to reflect on his question for a moment. <strong>”I hadn’t thought of that… It is historically important of course… but I’m sure there will be a big argument about the military wanting to continue using it. Either way… I’m not sure I have much need any more for a war ship like the Normandy… even with its emotional significance.”</strong> She admitted with a shrug. She didn’t seem upset about it. Of course the Normandy was important to her… but it wasn’t like she could store it in a back yard somewhere. <strong>”Maybe I’ll find a model of it somewhere.”</strong> She jokes as the vehicle came to a stop.<br><br>Garrus opened the door, and Aria admitted she did expect to be greeted with flashing cameras and reporters. But… the garage was empty. <strong>”That’s surprising.”</strong> She remarks, smiling as Garrus held her hand and helped her from the vehicle. She definitely preferred this. After looking around again at the empty space she walked with Garrus to the hotel lobby, hoping there wasn’t a big scene waiting for them inside.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 00:51:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Garrus made a mental note to make sure and pick up a Normandy model at some point, somewhat as a joke but also as a genuine show of thoughtfulness. Small sentimental things like that never bothered him too much, but as he grew closer to Aria over the years, he began to appreciate those small touches, especially since they seemed to bring smiles to her face. The two of them walked hand in hand, while entering into the lobby. There was a quieted commotion from the people inside as they walked by, but no reporters that Garrus could see, he could only assume they all had camped out in front of their own hotel, and were still there possibly. Though in the back of his mind he knew that once they caught wind of the two of them arriving here, the vultures would flock there in droves. <br><br>But for now, it was quiet as they walked through the lobby. A few people approached them, just normal people by the look, and asked Aria for her autograph. Many of them gave Garrus funny looks, but that was something he was used to from some Humans. They made their way to the elevator eventually, and went up to the floor Joker and EDI were supposed to be at. He wasn't sure, but he assumed Tali and the rest had been given rooms at this hotel as well that they could maybe see... and say goodbye to. A thought which saddened Garrus some. It would never be like the old days again, with a ragtag group of men and women working together to stop a galactic threat and forming every lasting bonds in the process.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 01:29:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria was relieved when the hotel lobby was as devoid of reporters as the parking garage- but she was confused as well. Maybe the military had managed to keep it a secret that the rest of the crew was staying here… or maybe nobody cared? She found that hard to believe. Sure, she was the biggest story, being the commander… but she wasn’t the only story. Were the reporters on earth against covering her alien crew mates? Aria shook her head in disbelief, deciding not to question it as she held Garrus’ hand, feeling more at ease now that she knew they wouldn’t get jumped by the vultures as Garrus called them.<br><br>Of course they were still approached- but Aria had never minded talking to every day citizens. These were the people she had fought to save after all. She smiled at each and every person, taking whatever it was they handed her, asking their name, before signing her autograph. After the first two she noticed the people giving Garrus strange looks- even though her hands were full with autographing she shifted her weight so she was closer to him- making it clear to the people that she was with him and didn’t give a damn what they thought. After she was done she took his hand again and smiled up at him, then walked with him to the elevator. Unlike her Joker and&nbsp; Edi and the others weren’t put up in pent houses. The elevator ride was short, then they stepped out into a hallway and found the door to the right room. Aria knocked a few time then stood back with Garrus and waited.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 04:57:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Quickly after Aria knocked on the door it swung open with EDI standing inside. "Welcome Shepard, Garrus." The AI said politely and courteously making room for them to walk in. Joker was seated across the room and he gingerly got up from his chair and hobbled over to them. Garrus always felt bad for because of his condition, but then he realized he was a better pilot than any he'd ever known, and a smart ass. So he didn't feel very bad for long. "Our place was bigger, but isn't bad either." Garrus noted with a chuckle looking around the nice room they were in.<br><br>He turned his head to Aria. "I think I would have traded the suite for a nice and quiet place like this anyday, you?" He asked her as his mandibles flared and his voice inflected sarcasm. Garrus soon walked over and took a seat as they all talked. He realized that this was the first time Aria had really been able to just sit and catch up with any of her squadmates apart from himself. They day before was a circus and she never really had any time for something like this, so he mostly just sat back and listened.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Rayne</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 05:33:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aria would admit, she was relieved to see that EDI was in fact here and not hauled away to be studied or taken apart in some secret lab somewhere. <strong>”Good afternoon EDI.”</strong> She greeted the AI with equal politeness, walking inside. For a moment she felt formal, stiff- so used to only addressing Joker and EDI in that one context, as their commander. It was true, this was a new situation for her with her squadmates, and for a moment she felt uncertain for how to proceed.<br><br>&nbsp;Of course Joker had never treated anybody much like an authority figure- even now he walked right up to her, clasped her on the shoulder and with a smile greeted her, cracking jokes within moments. And Aria relaxed, smiling. <strong>”I definitely agree- of course by the time we leave I’m sure they’ll have relocated to the lobby here. Joker, if you’d like some reporters you can have them, by the way- free of charge, just for you.”</strong> She jokes, at which EDI offered to create a story on the extranet of somebody sighting her at the other end of town. And just like that, they were all chatting and laughing and enjoying each other’s company in a way they’d never gotten to during the fighting. Aria sat next to Garrus, and even though he didn’t talk up much she still glanced his way once in a while, reaching out to hold his hand as she enjoyed the company. At some point Joker got out a celebratory bottle of wine, and something for Garrus to drink too. And since Tali and Liara were also in the hotel, Joker called them up and invited them to the room to join in. Aria didn’t mention that she and Garrus were planning to leave earth, not yet. It just didn’t really fit the mood, mentioning them leaving when they were all just now reunited for the first time since all this was over.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: After the Battle (Rayne and Odanrav)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Odanrav</strong> on <strong>26-10-2012, 20:38:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Garrus happily took the dextro based beverage he was given for a toast, surprised they had it. He sipped it, quenching the thirst&nbsp; he had from not having drank anything that day. But refrained from chugging it all down at once, like he desired to. He laughed along with everyone else, but stayed fairly quiet unless he was directly spoken to. Soon enough, Liara and Tali were called to the room and given some drinks as well. And then they were all seated around one another, talking and chatting. "You know, I think I'm going to miss the old girl." Joker quipped in reference to The Normandy, and flying it. Then Liara raised her glass. "To the Normandy." She said, starting a toast. Everyone else followed suit and made a toast to something else, things like victory, peace, those who had been lost, until Garrus was the only one left who hadn't yet spoken. "To Aria." He muttered, a great deal of seriousness in his voice. "None of us would be here without you." Garrus told her, as he turned his head to Aria sitting beside him, and took a large swig of his drink, emptying it. Everyone else around followed Garrus' lead saying "To Aria" or "To Shepard" before drinking from their own glasses.<br><br>Afterwards, Garrus set his empty glass down the table in front of him and sighed a little.&nbsp; "Maybe we should tell them." He said, still looking at Aria and in&nbsp; reference to their mutual plans to retire and live out their days in peace somewhere.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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