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Turnaround	By : Doirly_No Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 6074 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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As planned Kasumi came calling around seven and made the weirdest face when Jane opened the door, prompting the question, "Something wrong?"

"Uhhh, no," the young thief replied not terribly convincingly as she gawked at her painted friend.

With a hard-squint Shepard asked, "Then why are you looking at me like that?"

It was too late to fix the girl's makeup and saying anything would hurt an already fragile ego, so Kasumi did what she thought was best and lied, "I just have never seen you in makeup."

"Does it look good?"

It wasn't horrible, though it wasn't necessarily good either, but still, "Yeah, you ready to go?"

"Yep," after a moment Shepard nervously followed up, "Do I really look alright?"

"You'll be beating asari off with a stick." Kasumi didn't really know how the aliens measured beauty, maybe her friend would be alright.

Jane's mind drifted a moment, "I don't think a stick would work, they all have biotics."

"Wow, if asari really are into adorable they aren't going to stand a chance."

"What do you mean if? You said they were."

"No, I said there was only one way to find out if they were." Kasumi saw something flash across the geeky girl's face and quickly leapt to nip it in the bud, "You're not backing out."

"I wasn't going to..."

"Yes, you were, now get your coat."

Jane pursed her lips, then after a moment's consternation snatched her jacket off her bed and followed her friend out the door. In front of her building they met up with the rest of the group, who all introduced themselves and seemed very nice as they chatted on the subway, but by the time they'd reached their stop she couldn't remember any of their names. The entire trip downtown all she could do was nervously stew while pining to go back home. There was no way any asari would want anything to do with her and all that could possibly happen that night was for her to get publicly humiliated. Everything was going to suck; she just knew it. She should have stood up to Kasumi more forcefully.

The evening started well as they went to eat at some fancy place with a name Shepard couldn't pronounce and she got to try sushi for the first time. Extra bonus, she didn't have to pay for it. It was also cool when they got to the club and walked right up to the front door, circumventing the line waiting to get in. Apparently, Kasumi knew the doorman, or rather knew something about the doorman that could be dangled over him. So, the group was able to get right in without a fuss, except for Jane getting carded. She was of legal age, but it was still embarrassing to be singled out. Though to be fair, her make-up did look like something a teen would do to look older.

Inside was a world Jane had never experienced before, that she didn't think actually existed in real life. Pulsating, joyous music spurned people to fill the dance floor to the far right and gave a bouncy bob to many a neck throughout the rest of the club. It wasn't so loud however to require more than a slight effort to get one's voice above it in the bar and lounge areas. Every edge, rim and border seemed to be lined with purple, blue or pink strips of light that made the place feel alien even though it was only a subway ride away from her home. Above all else, what really drew Shepard's amazement were the people. She hadn't expected it, but over half the faces she saw were some shade of blue. She had never seen so many asari in one place. Obviously, they had their own planets so such congregations were common across the galaxy, but she never thought she would ever actually get to witness one.

A jab in the side interrupted Shepard's gawking and a familiar voice filled her ear, "Glad you came now?"

Immediately she turned to contradict, "I wasn't going to back out."

"Yeah, you were. You giant wuss," Kasumi countered before asking, "So, what's your plan?"

"Plan? Plan for what?"

"So, you can get your first taste of Thessia."

Jane panicked, "I need a plan?"

"Well you don't NEED one, but it would help."

Anxiety mounted, "Oh my god, I already needed all the help I could get. Now what am I going to do? I should just go home."

"Stop being a wuss. I'll help you."

"How can you help me? You don't know anything about asari."

"I don't need to know anything about asari to help you break the ice."

"I don't want to be the loser who has to have her friend introduce her to some random person." Seeming to completely forget how she met Khalisah.

Kasumi puzzled for a moment before suggesting, "You need some liquid courage."

"Yeah, probably." Shepard's eyes trailed over to the bar, "I need to go at my own pace though. Like, I need to get used to being here. So, I'm just going to go sit at the bar for a while. You go have fun with your friends."

"I don't want to leave you..."

She quickly cut in, "No, it's not like that. I just need a little time and a drink or two. We'll meet up later."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely."

Kasumi gave her friend an unsure look, but backed down, "Alright then. Don't overdo it with the drinks though."

"I know. I'm an adult..."

"Are you?"

"Shut up!" A couple seconds went by, then in unison they stuck their tongues out at each other and chuckled. "I'll be at the bar."

"Okay." When Jane turned away Kasumi quickly threw after her, "If there's a cute asari don't be afraid to say, hi."

"Yeah, sure."

Shepard claimed a seat at the far end of the bar, having no intention of taking her friend's advice. How could she possibly just strike up a conversation with someone she didn't know? It didn't seem possible. It took almost ten minutes for the bartender to notice her, giving her enough time to overhear the orders of several others. She was just going to get a beer, but realized what a waste that would be since the place obviously served drinks to appeal to its alien patrons. This was her chance to try a Thessian cocktail. The matron a few stools away got something called honey mead which sounded pleasant enough. Krogan booze probably would have killed her.

The matron noticed and gave the young human a sideward glance before raising her voice over the background din, "Excuse me."

It took a second for Shepard to realize that the asari was looking her way, "Are you talking to me?"

"Yes," the alien's violet features were kind yet confused as she asked, "Are you old enough to be in here?"

Jane nodded, "Yeah, I'm twenty-two."

"And that's old enough? Sorry about that. Been a mother the past couple centuries and haven't been able to turn it off yet; just got my last daughter out of the house." Then as the matron turned back to her companion she added, "It's just you look like such a kid."

No offense was meant, but the comment still stung. Suddenly feeling very self-conscious Shepard slunk off with her drink to one of the small tables nearby. Seated by herself, she took a sip of the honey mead. She liked it quite a bit; it was mellow and a little sweet, great for calming her nerves. Slowly she settled in to people watch. Kasumi came by to check in at one point, but Jane wasn't ready to leave her spot yet. Then after finishing her drink she decided to get another so went back to the bar. Another ten-minute wait for the bartender later she headed back to her spot and found a young maiden had taken it. Her first instinct was to find somewhere else to sit, but on second thought realized it was a perfect opportunity to start a conversation. After downing a gulp of her liquid courage, she started the approach.

With a slightly cracked voice Jane said, "Hi."

The maiden with flame like markings on her brow and cheeks disinterestedly replied, "Hello."

Shepard was too nervous and bad with people to notice the apathy, "I was sitting there."

"Oh, I'm sorry," the asari said sincerely. "I'll find another table."

"You don't have to. We could share the table," everything sounded a lot smoother in her head.

"Ah well you see, I'm sorry but I'm more interested in men." Fair enough, a reasonable response if it had ended there, but the maiden continued, "Not boys."

Shepard gave up on the table and left without another word. Obviously, a cultural misunderstanding, asari must just have trouble differentiating between genders, especially with such poor lighting; she tried to reason. It was just; she had put effort specifically into appearing more womanly, whatever that means, and apparently had failed at it. Cheeks burning, she downed the rest of her mead and got another one before retreating to an even more secluded spot all the way in the corner. Back to the wall, there was a buffer of empty tables surrounding the one she claimed. Her fears had been confirmed; she shouldn't have come. So, she again found herself alone watching others have fun and flirt. Her mind drifted to Khalisah, who despite a multitude of flaws, including infidelity, was still probably the best she'd ever do. No, she deserved better than to be cheated on. One more try, she deserved to give it one more try.

With a swig Jane finished off her beverage, did a quick sweep of her immediate area and upon finding a suitable target under better lighting ventured a friendly, "Hi."

The centuries old alien turned, gave the makeup caked face of the girl getting her attention a glance and burst out laughing. She had never seen such a strangely colored human before. The improved lighting had worked against Shepard rather than help. Plus, this particular asari was kind of an asshole in general, which Jane had never considered possible. They were such a wise and ancient race, how could any of them be jerks? Actually, a lot of them were, just like every other species. Simultaneously her dreams had been crushed and her fears confirmed. Her already frayed nerves snapped, anxiety overwhelmed her and she fled to the only possible safe haven, the bathroom.

Bursting through the door Jane made a beeline for the sinks without taking note of her surroundings and collapsed on the counter, an elbow planted to either side of the far-right basin. She just had to breathe and calm down. Nothing that happened was too bad, it was just bad luck. She was blowing things out of proportion. Everything would be alright; she just had to find Kasumi. It'll be easier with her friend's help. Then without a thought, her brainpower was completely committed to slaying her anxiety, she splashed some water on her face. It wasn't until she opened her eyes and saw her stained hands that she realized the mistake she had made. Her gaze darted up to the mirror. Black, purple, blue and red streaks ran like deltas down her face. Her cheap makeup caked on and weakened by hours of sweat crumbled. All hope was lost; she suddenly felt the need to puke, but doubted her trembling legs could carry her to one of the stalls.

"Are you alright?" someone asked.

Slowly Shepard turned her head to see the bathroom had another occupant, an elegant matriarch in a black dress, and she whimpered, "Yeah."

"Are you sure?" The concerned asari didn't want to pry, "It appears you have been crying."

"No, it's just water." The young woman began looking around for a towel to wipe off her face and as an excuse to avoid eye contact.

The wizened alien could tell not all the moisture on the girl's cheeks came from the facet, "My mistake. Still though, it does seem something is wrong."

"It's nothing." Jane had no idea how to fix her makeup and having someone else looking at her made her fingers tremble so much that holding onto her clump of paper towels was difficult; she accidently dropped several of them in the sink. "I'm perfectly fine."

"If you are so fine then why did you come rushing into the wrong restroom?"

"Wrong restroom!?" she panicked, a bolt fully straightening her spine.

"This one is for asari."

"Asari need their own bathroom?"

"Well, no," the elder answered calmly, hoping it would rub off on the young human as she began to wash her hands. "I think in this case it was just a matter of easing congestion for the other restrooms and avoiding confusion. Although we asari do not require the use of such facilities too often, which is why this one is so empty. So perhaps you did run through the right door."

Shepard still felt the need to say, "Sorry."

"No need to apologize." Again, the matriarch didn't want to push the poor girl, but still somehow wanted to help; then she realized she had yet to do the obvious and presented her hand, as seemed to be the human custom, "My name is Benezia, by the way."

"Jane," she replied and without a thought shook the alien's hand.

After the simple gesture ended the asari noticed her palm had been stained, prompting her to ask, "What is this substance?"

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Shepard immediately rushed forward with her wad of paper towels to scrub the matriarch's hand.

"Again, no need to apologize. So, I assume this substance is not meant to go on one's hands."

Jane's attention remained on cleaning as she answered, "Yeah, it's called makeup. It's supposed to go on your face."

"What is its purpose?"

"To make yourself pretty." Having a task to focus on actually helped to ease her nerves a bit.

"And you wanted to make yourself pretty?" Benezia asked the top of the girl's head.

"Yeah, though this isn't how it's supposed to look. I kind of..." Jane suddenly stopped when something brushed her jaw.

Blue fingers cradled Shepard's cheek, encouraging the young woman's face to rise, the thumb gently wiped the mess just beneath her eye, and the matriarch commented, "From what I can see this makeup is doing more to mask your beauty than enhance it."

"Well, uh..." It was in that moment Jane noticed how utterly gorgeous the asari she'd been talking to was and a knot quite quickly tied her tongue, "I mean... yeah, I was just saying... going to say I kind of messed it up or well I guess more than kind of. My face is like a total disaster."

"That seems like an easy enough problem to remedy."

"I don't really know how to fix it."

"Can you not simply wash it off?"

"Then I won't be pretty anymore.”

"I doubt that very much, but even if that were true why would it matter?"

"I wanted to meet an asari."

"Well lucky for you, you already have," Benezia said with a warm smile.

Hope sprang, probably a little late, but still, "You? Do you mean you? Will you talk to me? Like, even after we leave the bathroom?"

This human was getting more adorable by the minute, "Yes. I will wash my hands while you wash your face then we can go have a drink together."

Jane just barely suppressed a squeal as she exclaimed, "Really!?"

With a chuckle, "Yes really."

Benezia glided over to a sink while the young human rushed back to the one she had been using. She rolled up her sleeves, staining them, but they were black so she didn't care. With a healthy amount of soap, another wad of paper towel and the couple remover wipes she had stuffed into her pocket Shepard was able to return her face to its natural state. Whenever she had to close her eyes she'd be quick to open them again so she could peek over to make sure the matriarch was still there and she hadn't hallucinated the last few minutes. It was during her third glance that she noticed the view in the mirror and the fact the slightly hunched elder asari was wearing a black dress with a large window that revealed the most amazing cleavage she had ever seen. She doubted a human was capable of such majesty.

After half a minute of dumb staring Shepard was knocked from her stupor by, "So tell me; for what reason did you want to meet an asari?"

The human's eyes rose to meet the matriarch's through the mirror then darted back to the sink in front of her as she mumbled, "Just curious about other cultures, I guess."

"Quite the noble pursuit," Benezia commented with an amused grin, which Jane didn't see as she immediately doused her burning cheeks with two cupped hands of water.

To avoid embarrassing herself further and possibly scaring the matriarch off, Jane kept her eyes forward until she had completely wiped all unnatural colors from her face. She wanted to talk for at least a little while before the asari realized what a loser she was and left her in the dust. It didn't take too long to remove her makeup, though obviously it took far less time to wash a pair of hands so Benezia was patiently waiting for her when she finished. She felt so much cleaner and more comfortable, getting all dolled up wasn't really her thing. She just thought it was what a woman was supposed to do when going to a club. She dried off, then right as she opened her mouth in preparation to speak the Legend of Zelda theme burst out of her jacket. She immediately pulled a small rectangular device from her pocket and brought up its screen.

It was a text from Kasumi, 'where r u?'

She quickly replied, 'Bathroom.'

'u ok?'

'Totally, I'm in here with a matriarch!!!'

'and does she no u r there?'

'Yes :P'

'what r u using for kneepads?'

'It’s not like that perv. We're going to get a drink.'

'yay!!!! have fun and text if u need me :)'

'I will. Later.'

'cya.'

Jane's eyes rose from her little device to meet alien ones that betrayed a bit of confusion, "Oh that was just my friend. We came here together and she was just checking up on me."

"She sounds like a fine friend," Benezia responded with a warm smile. "So that is a communicator of some kind?"

"Yeah, it's my phone." After a second she realized how that may confuse a rich, old asari. "I can't afford an omni-tool, so I have this. Most extranet sites don't even support it's outdated tech anymore, so I can't do much more than talk, text and listen to music with it."

"I see," the alien's brow slightly furled a moment before suggesting, "Shall we go get that drink."

"Absolutely!"

The matriarch offered an elbow which Jane merrily looped an arm through and was escorted out of the bathroom. Rather than head for the bar, like she was expecting, they veered toward the VIP area. The translucent, purple man guarding the door scanned both their faces as they approached. Benezia was already in the VI's database and was given a polite greeting. If Shepard had tried to go in alone it wouldn't have been nearly so friendly an encounter. The moderately-sized space beyond was far quieter with few habitants and only a lazy melody drifting through the air. Asari had very different schedules from humans, so the ones important enough to ignore local customs usually frequented the club midweek, often arriving in the afternoon and not leaving until early the next morning.

Benezia waved to a group a few tables away before ushering her young companion into a corner booth, mentioning, "I came here with some friends as well. Or more accurately, they dragged me here."

Sliding in Jane responded, "Yeah, I know the feeling. Clubs aren't really my thing."

"Ah, perhaps then fate drew us here on the same night," the asari waxed while flagging down the waitress.

"Fate usually isn't so kind to me."

The server approached to ask, "What can I get you, ma'am?"

"Another glass of brandy."

"And you?"

Jane answered, "Honey mead, please."

"I'll go get those right away."

Once the waitress left Benezia asked, "Not much of drinker?"

"Not really, I guess. Tonight’s a bit different though, I’ve already had three honey meads."

"Well that is what I meant."

"Huh?"

"There is very little alcohol in honey mead."

"Really?"

"Yes, even children are allowed a sip every now and then."

The waitress returned with their drinks and a peppy, "Here you are. Should I put them both on your tab?"

"Yes, thank you," then when Benezia's attention shifted back she noticed the girl across from her suddenly sullen. "Something wrong?"

"Oh, no, I'm fine," Jane fibbed; her insecurity over her apparent lack of maturity had once again been reinforced and worried the matriarch would find out, so she quickly changed the subject, "So, why did your friends drag you here?"

If the young woman didn't want to dwell the elder alien wasn't going to press, "Those I came to Earth with wished to take a break from business dealings and pestered me into joining them. I figured it was the path of least resistance. I was planning to spend the evening hiding in a quiet corner sampling human spirits."

Wanting to glean every bit of information she could about the asari, Shepard asked earnestly, "What kind of business are you in?"

"Me? None. Like most matriarchs I live off the investments I made when I was younger. I am advising a group of matrons looking to secure their futures as I had done. Humanity is just emerging onto the galactic stage, with great ambition, and there is an excellent chance to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. Markets for the shorter-lived species move so much faster, even a simple interest-bearing account can yield strong returns."

"Cool and are the matrons your followers?"

"You know about followers? Done some research into my people, have you? And are actually interested in other cultures?"

"Yeah, just like I said," Shepard said triumphantly believing her earlier wandering eyes had been exonerated.

"Is your interest solely with asari or are you a student of all cultures?"

"Well, all cultures are interesting, but I do think asari are the most interesting."

"And what is it about my people that prompted your interest?" an increasingly bemused grin stretching the matriarch's cheeks.

"For a lot of reasons; your culture is amazing, with so much cool art and music and stuff. Probably because of how long your lives are, you've seen so much history. Also, you're all biotics, huntresses are awesome. And the color of your skin is so beautiful. Really, you're all just so beautiful in general, and wise and smart."

"All those things you learned about, though I would question all of us being wise and smart, but what prompted your initial curiosity?"

"Uhh, I'm not sure. A movie or something?"

Benezia leaned forward as she asked, "And what was it about the movie or something that piqued your interest?"

"Umm..." as Jane racked her brain for a response her eyes involuntarily darted down.

"Ah I see, the same pair of somethings that piqued your interest in me," the matriarch straightened back up.

"No, I wasn't looking at your boobs!" the young woman quickly exclaimed before her brain caught up and she quietly added, "Sorry."

"It is quite alright; I did not mean to imply I mind."

Jane's eyes widened a bit, "You must get a lot of leers though. It must get annoying."

"I would not say a lot or even many."

"No way, I mean if I was around you, I'd..." Shepard quickly swallowed the end of that statement.

Benezia was growing more and more amused by the second, "Most with an asari fetish..."

"I wouldn't say I have a fetish."

"Why are you assuming I meant you?"

After a moment of silence Jane mumbled under her breath, "Damn it."

The matriarch chuckled, "Few species even have breasts and fewer still have pronounced ones, so it is rare to find any who have sexual interest in them. Butts on the other hand; that is near universal. Having you sneak a peek is more amusing than anything."

Embarrassed, Jane quickly tried to shift focus away from herself, "What about other asari?"

"I am a matriarch. Most are too reverential to look at me in such a way. I will catch the occasional maiden stealing a glance, but otherwise matriarchs tend only to court other matriarchs."

Her shipping instincts flared, "So have you ever dated another matriarch?"

"I had a bondmate. We had a daughter together, but we drifted apart. Such is love." And with a second thought added, "She did quite enjoy, as she put it, my 'rack'."

"I know I would." Again, her mouth was quicker than her brain.

"You are just darling," Benezia commented to further tease the girl. "Enough about me and my bust, tell me about you."

Jane needed a second for her heart rate to dip from attack to merely racing before replying, "I don't have much to tell. I'm pretty boring. We should keep talking about you."

"In my experience there are no boring people, just people who do not know how to properly tell their story."

"Yeah, but I..." How could she argue with someone so obviously more intelligent and wise? "I don't really have a story."

"Some sequence of events brought you here and that is all a story really is."

"Still, my sequence of events is very dull."

The stalling was causing the matriarch to grow concerned about the young human and tried a more pointed question, "What do you do for a living?"

After a brief, contemplative silence Jane answered, "Nothing. I don't have a job."

"School then?"

"No, never had the grades or anything for college. Besides, even if I did, I couldn't afford it."

"Can your parents not help you?"

"I, uh, don't have any of those. I was abandoned as a baby. So, I don't have any family."

A part of the mother's heart broke. "Who raised you?"

"I had foster parents, but we don't talk or anything anymore. When I turned eighteen, they informed me that they didn't approve of my lifestyle and wanted nothing more to do with me. It kind of came out of nowhere, didn't even realize they felt that way. Turned out they were just waiting out the clock. They weren't complete monsters I guess, so they waited until I was an adult to cut me out. Really though, if they had kicked me out that probably would have been the end of them getting any foster kids.”

"What could they possibly find wrong with your lifestyle?"

"Well, I'm gay." Thinking the alien would need some clarifications, Jane added, "Like, I'm attracted to other women. Some people don't like that. An asari probably wouldn't understand that kind of thing."

"You may be surprised how bigoted such a self-professed 'enlightened' culture like the asari can be. Those of us who have joined with our own kind to produce children, as well as the children themselves are often subjected to vile attacks and discrimination. Though my bondmate and I were both well-respected, in the matriarch stages of our lives," Benezia's solemn tone was momentarily cracked by a slight smile as she added, "Or at least I was well-respected. It allowed us the privilege to ignore much of the worst of it. You it sounds like had no such protection, no such privilege. I could not image dealing with such adversities on my own as you have and am amazed how warm and spirited a person you seem to be despite the hardships you have endured."

She had gotten a compliment from a matriarch, Shepard couldn't believe it and instinctively tried to dismiss it with, "Nah, it's nothing. Most people would be fine."

"You do not give yourself enough credit."

Jane could only giggle back, "Nah."

The conversation then changed tangents as Benezia asked with some concern, "Are you alright? Your face seems to be changing color."

"What?" the young woman suddenly noticed how warm her cheeks were, which then made them begin to burn. "Oh, I'm fine..."

"Wait, I have heard of this." The ancient asari touched the tip of her index finger to her lips and thought a moment before grinning as she asked, "Are you blushing?"

"What!?" Jane replied more than a little too excitedly. "No, I'm not. Why would I?"

"From what I have read it has something to do with embarrassment, anxiety or arousal." Benezia took a sip of her brandy before asking, "So, which of those apply to you?"

"None of them, because I'm not blushing," Shepard defensively replied.

"Not even the last one?"

"I... no," after a heartbeat the young woman added a tiny, "-ish."

"Ish? I do not believe I know that word. What do you mean by it?"

"You know, your knowledge of my people seems a bit random."

"I would not say random, rather I would say... convenient."

"Not terribly convenient for me."

"Convenient for me however, flustering you is quite enjoyable."

Sinking into herself a bit, Jane muttered, "I'm not flustered."

"Simply adorable," Benezia commented as she rested her cheek in her palm.

"Am not... I mean," Shepard didn't like how things were going, though if she wasn't so self-conscious she would have recognized things were actually going very well for her, and awkwardly tried to change subjects, "So, you have a daughter?"

After a short chuckle the ancient asari decided to show the girl mercy and allowed the digression, "A few actually, but my youngest, Liara is the one I just mentioned."

"How many do you have?"

With that inquiry the focus of the conversation shifted fully to the matriarch, just as Jane had hoped. All she had really wanted was to talk to one of the blue, alien ladies and find out as much as she could. Asari were so fascinating to her, with their long lifespan, biotics, melding, culture, military; honestly just about everything. So, she had a grand old time asking Benezia questions, who in turn was quite amused by the girl's earnest curiosity and awkward personality. The evening was developing far differently than either could have imagined when it began. They lost track of time and all too soon hours had flown by.

As Jane was about to ask a question about Benezia's childhood a hand slapped down on her shoulder, nearly inciting a heart attack, with a cheery, "Hey Shep."

"Kas!?"

"Oh, so you do remember me."

"Duh," then after a second thought Shepard asked, "How'd you get back here? It's the VIP room."

"I have my ways." Turning her attention to her friend's companion and sticking out her hand she greeted, "Hi, I'm Kasumi Goto."

With a grin the matriarch shook the hand presented and replied, "Benezia."

"You're quite beautiful; I can see why she completely forgot about me."

"I didn't forget."

"So, you were actively ignoring my texts then?"

"Texts?" Jane mumbled as her eyes dropped to her lap, then after a moment of quiet fiddling added, "I forgot to charge my phone."

"Idiot," Kasumi sighed. "At least my worry was unfounded."

"Sorry."

"Eh, I'm just giving you shit."

Wanting to get back to the asari across from her Shepard asked, "What do you want?"

"To go home. It's late and we're ready to head out."

"What?" the girl whimpered as she inadvertently morphed into a sad puppy. "We have to leave?"

"I could bring her home."

Wide-eyed, both humans looked over to the matriarch, but it was Kasumi who replied, "I don't know if I can trust you have the purest of intentions..."

Giddiness blunted Jane's brain and she earnestly interrupted her friend with a plea, "Oh please let her. I'll be fine."

The third wheel sighed, "You're an adult, Shep. You can do whatever you want."

"I know that," she mumbled barely audibly before being bombarded by stereo laughter.

Once the giggles had subsided Kasumi turned to the asari, "Nice to meet you Benezia. Please, do take good care of my goofy, little friend."

"It was pleasure to meet you as well and there is no need for you to worry about your goofy, little friend; I will take excellent care of her."

"Good," then with a pat on her pal's back she was off. "Later Shep."

"Goodnight, Kas."

"So," Benezia said before emptying her glass of brandy with one final sip. "Should we get another round or would you like to leave?"

"Guess that would depend on where we go after we leave here," once the sentence was out Jane's lower lip firmly wedged itself between her teeth.

"Well, I am supposed to take you home."

Shyly the young human suggested, "Maybe you could take me home tomorrow."

With a suggestive grin Benezia asked, "Tomorrow? How do you suggest we fill the time until then?"

Jane's cheeks burst into flames and her heart nearly jumped out of chest as she fumbled for an awful answer, "Well... like... we could do... uh... stuff... together. Hang out. Watch a movie or something, maybe."

"A movie?" The matriarch knew she had to be careful; too much teasing could possibly kill the girl. "That sounds nice, though it is probably too late for the theatre and my hotel room lacks any sort of entertainment system, so we would probably have to do it at your place."

"Do it?" Shepard absentmindedly whispered.

"Yes, would that be a problem?"

Still not exactly thinking clearly, she replied, "No."

"Well then, shall we go?"

Snapping back, "Go? Where?"

"Your place."

"What?" The sudden embarrassment of Benezia seeing her shitty, little apartment struck like a baseball bat. "No wait. That won't work."

"You just said it would."

"But my apartment isn't good enough."

"To sit and watch a movie?"

"Yeah, I mean..." Shepard searched for an excuse, but could only come up with, "my place sucks."

Playfully the asari responded, "But there is no other option."

"But it isn't good enough for someone like you."

"You will be there with me?" The girl nodded. "Then I cannot imagine a better place to be."

A more pleasant burning flared in Shepard's cheeks as she waffled, "I don't know."

Benezia reached across the table to grasp her companion's fingers before asking, "How about we get out of here and just see where we end up?"

Jane melted, "Okay."

Suring her grip of the young woman's hand the matriarch slid out of the booth. Though, she needed to give the daydreaming girl a slight tug to be joined, and then with a little extra guidance linked their arms together. After an exchange of smiles Benezia looked over to her followers' table who were staring back with muffled giggles being barely contained by knowing grins. She was not looking forward to facing them the next day; all the more reason to have as much fun as possible until then and make the inevitable harassment worth it. With a wave and a wink, she escorted her new companion out of the VIP room, through the rest of the club and out to her rental skycar.
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Turnaround