Curious Jealousy- a F!Shenko Fic

Chapter Five: Drunken

There was a large part of her that wanted to turn around and go back to that bar and tell Adria the truth- that she wanted to punch her (when her hand twitched a little to her waist, she conceded that she kind of wanted to shoot her) in the face.

While she admitted that she needed to get to the embassy to meet with the Council, she couldn't honestly say that she was nearly buzzed enough (and, for that, she cursed Cerberus and their irritating accomplishment with speeding up her metabolism...and that Asari waitress as well). Instead, she headed down to the Zakera ward to visit her favorite Turian bartender for a few drinks- at least she knew that he would serve her as many shots of Ryncol as she wanted.

Pleasantly trashed (and eight other shots later), she reached the embassy. It was thrilling to wonder whether or not she would be able to stay on her feet, let alone whether she would be able to find Councilor Udina's office.

Many expletives threatened to be released as she thought about the former ambassador. So much for choosing Anderson all those years ago. Well, at least she had the pleasurable knowledge that Anderson had punched him so hard that he passed out. A drunken giggle escaped despite her internal war against it.

"Commander Shepard, the council is waiting to see you," an Asari informed her, letting her know that she had, indeed, found Udina's office. From both her tone (forced ignorance and politeness) and expression (the same as her tone), it was obvious that she could smell the copious amount of alcohol that Shepard had consumed.

Fixing the best approximation of her commander face that she could manage to her face she nodded, "Lead the way, then."

"Commander Shepard, so glad that you could join us," Tevos- the Asari Councilor- said in way of greeting.

Liara looked over as Shepard stood beside her and gave her a disapproving look that spoke legions. "I apologize, Councilors. One of my crew was injured on Mars and was taken to Huerta Memorial."

"As I was saying," Udina said, obviously continuing on a rant he had been on before Shepard had even appeared. "The Reapers arrived at Earth first- humanity has been hardest."

Rolling her eyes, Shepard leaned over to Liara. "Has he been like this the entire time?"

Ignoring her question, Liara gave Shepard a glare that almost rivaled one of her own. "You smell like a semi-clean Krogan, Shepard."

"What does that even mean?" she scoffed.

"It means that you've been drinking enough to put a Krogan in a coma."

There was a pause in the Councilor's debate, giving Shepard a clue that she needed to step up. "The Reaper's have hit Earth. We need everyone- every fleet- to battle them."

"Even if Earth has been hit as hard as you both say, we all have our own worlds to worry about. We too are getting hit by the Reapers," Tevos explained. "We simply can't afford to send our fleets to Earth."

A cruel (very drunk) part of Shepard wanted to say, Ah, yes. "Your worlds." We have dismissed those claims. It was a hard fought internal battle not to say those words.

"The majority of the Reaper fleet is in the Sol system," Shepard said instead, hoping that only she could hear the slurring of her words. From Liara's expression, it wasn't completely unnoticed. "If Earth falls, you are dooming each of your own worlds."

"You can't honestly expect us to abandon our worlds and follow you without a plan," the Turian Councilor- Sparatus- scoffed.

Shepard took a few seconds to respond- had she not, there was a chance she might have called him a pompous ass. "No, Councilor, I don't expect you all to follow me without a plan- it just so happens that we have one," she informed them a bit indignantly.