Dialogue Interlude: Opera

"And who might this be?" Aria looked curiously at the young man standing next to Serenity. "He doesn't have as many weapons as your usual cohorts, Shepard."
"Joker, meet Aria, she runs Omega. Aria, meet Joker, the best damn pilot in the galaxy. Sorry, you can't shake his hand."
Aria raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"He's fragile."
Aria eyed Jeff curiously. "And what makes him the best pilot in the galaxy? That's a pretty sweeping statement, isn't it?"
"He's the only reason any of the crew from the original Normandy survived," said Serenity sharply. "He can fly anything with a propulsion engine, and make a clean landing on surfaces that would make regular pilots go home and cry."
"Okay, Commander, I think she gets your point. You can stop now." Jeff shuffled uncomfortably. The very tall, very intimidating Asari hadn't taken her eyes from Jeff since he had walked up the stairs. Jeff took another sip from his drink and tried to ignore her.
"Anyway, just hang out in the club while we search, Joker. Don't get too drunk."
"Aye, aye, Commander."
Serenity and Thane walked back down the stairs. Aria continued to watch Jeff.
"Have a seat," Aria offered, and gestured to the couch next to her.
"Thanks," Jeff mumbled. He was getting a weird headache from the noise, or something.
"What did she mean, you're fragile?"
"I, uh, my bones, break, really easy, so don't...." Jeff put a hand up to his head. "Oh, what the hell?" He looked at his drink.
Aria's eyes went wide, and she moved, flowing and swift, to catch him before he fell over.
Jeff panicked for a moment, but she cradled him gently, lifting him in strong arms and nestling his body against her.
"Grizz! Is that damned Batarian up to his tricks again?" The rage in Aria's voice contrasted oddly with her feather touches on his skin, checking his pulse. "Get that medic up here. And bring me that Batarian's head."
Jeff felt a fuzziness in his head, and faded out slightly. When he came to again, he was breathing comfortably, lying on the softest bed he'd ever known. The bed was also warm. And blue. And actually a completely naked Asari. Jeff swallowed nervously, coughed a little.
Aria shifted slightly, and raised a glass of water to his lips.
Jeff was acutely aware that he could just as easily take a drink of water or lick a very taut, blue nipple without moving his head, and both were equally appealing. He sipped the glass of water, and went back to resting his head on her bosom without protesting. "I'm sure there is a reason for this."
Aria chuckled. "You were having trouble breathing."
"Oh, yeah, the position makes sense now. You're basically breathing for me. That doesn't explain the nakedness, though." It had finally trickled through his head that he was also completely naked. Half-sitting up, leaning on a naked Asari, who was breathing very slowly and carefully, with his head cradled between her breasts, his arms draped over her thighs. One strong blue arm gently supporting his back, her long legs carefully cradling his body.
"Didn't want you to hurt yourself. All those buckles, and stuff."
"Right." Jeff didn't really want to question it, but felt that he should say something. "Sorry to impose."
"It's not a problem," she said softly. "Are you comfortable?"
Jeff muttered something under his breath.
"Hmmm?"
"I'm resting on a naked chick. What could I have to complain about?"
"Well, you shouldn't have been poisoned in the first place. Don't worry, I made him pay." The sudden viciousness in her voice reminded Jeff of a lioness defending her cubs.
Jeff closed his eyes, nestled himself a little more comfortably in her embrace. He planned to enjoy it while it lasted. She might feel guilty now, but he was certain someone like Aria wouldn't stay interested in him for very long. His lungs were working properly again, and he was pretty sure he could get up and get dressed now. If he wanted to.
Someone knocked at the door of Aria's private chambers. "Ma'am? Commander Shepard is here."
"Send her in," Aria replied.
"Um... aren't you going to get dressed?" asked Joker nervously. "Or me? Or something?"
"No, and you stay where you are. The poison won't be completely out of your system for at least another twenty minutes," Aria purred, laying a protective hand on his head. "Don't worry, I won't let you get hurt."
Jeff wasn't feeling strong enough to question her, and closed his eyes again.
"Okay, Aria, where's Joker and what the hell are you doing?" Serenity blurted out.
"Relax, Shepard. That jackass Batarian poisoned him, but he's recovering now. He'll be fine."
Jeff could tell he was turning bright red.
Aria sighed, and pulled a sheet up, covering most of their nudity. "He was having spasms and couldn't breathe."
"Well, thank you for saving my crewmember, Aria. I can take him off your hands now, if you like."
"No," said Aria calmly, "that's not necessary. You can just finish your mission here and pick him up when you're done."
"Uh..." Serenity considered. "Joker?"
"I'm, uh... I'm fine, Commander. Not like I could fly right now anyway. Might as well just lie here."
"Oh. Yeah, okay, if everyone's happy... don't want to cause any trouble or anything...."
"It's no trouble at all, Shepard. I'll let you know if anything changes."
Serenity decided not to comment again after seeing the look in Aria's eyes, and quietly left the room.
Aside from the sheer embarrassment of being seen naked by Commander Shepard, Jeff also could tell that Aria was right, and he still wasn't feeling all that well. He really felt that he should say something, but she was running her fingers through his hair, gently massaging his scalp and it was making him terribly sleepy.
"This is very nice," he heard himself murmuring. "Thanks."
And then Jeff was fairly certain that he was asleep and dreaming, because he felt a pair of very soft, velvety lips pressed against his, and that had to be a dream. Someone like Aria, kissing him? Crazy.
Oddly enough, Jeff woke up to the same sensation. A pair of soft lips, gently kissing him, occasionally running a tongue over his lips, with whisper-soft feather touches on his skin. Without thinking, he kissed back, felt soft, warm skin under his hands. Caressed it. Realized he was touching a naked woman's breast, and still lying on one.
"You're awake," he heard Aria whisper. "How are you feeling?"
"Right now? Horny."
She laughed. "We should do something about that." She kissed him again. "I'm glad you're all right."
He could tell she really meant it.
"Why are you coming after me so hard?" Jeff tilted his head slightly and looked up at her. The beautiful Asari, ageless and powerful, looked at him. Her eyes were strangely soft as she watched him, waiting for his question, with a very contented half-smile was on her face. "Couldn't you just have anybody you wanted?"
She looked startled, then smiled at him. "You're not just being flattering, are you?"
"No, it's not like that," Jeff blushed, "it's just... well, look at me. It's bad enough normally, but you picked me up poisoned and sick. I don't think I could make myself look any worse."
Aria chuckled. "I'm not chasing after you because you were weak and helpless." Aria slid down in the bed, pulled Jeff up so he could rest comfortably on top of her. "I'm chasing after you because you are the first person," she smiled to herself, and decided not to say the number, "in many years, who wasn't at all afraid of Aria."
"What do you mean? I'm terrified of you!"
"No, you're afraid of the woman in the bed with you." Aria smiled up at him.
"Oh," said Jeff. "I get what you mean. The whole 'Queen of Omega' thing." Try as he might, he couldn't keep the slight mocking tone from his voice, and was relieved to hear her laugh.
"I know, it is so stupid, isn't it?" Aria settled herself beneath Jeff, and slid a hand down his side. "Sometimes it's nice to have a man who just sees a woman."
"Um...." Jeff felt himself stirring slightly, and Aria shifted again, in a way that made him really wonder if he had died or lost his mind at some point. "You really want to do this?"
Aria smiled, "I've lived too long and too well to waste time dreaming about something I could easily be doing. Here, let me make this a little easier for you." Aria focused, created a slight biotic field, suspending Jeff and herself a few inches over the bed. "How's that?"
"Cool!" Jeff shook himself. "Immature idiot! Sorry, that's just... that's really awesome. I hope I don't fall or anything, that would suck. I'd probably hit the bed, though." Jeff was half talking to himself, and still not entirely certain that he wasn't just dreaming this whole episode.
"I won't let you fall," said Aria, in a very soft, seductive voice. She pulled him closer, moved her legs to carefully envelop Jeff in her embrace. Jeff moved, moaned as he brushed against the entrance to her body, warm and wet and inviting. "Yes, please," Aria moaned, and he entered her carefully.
Suspended in midair as he was, for the first time in his life Jeff could let his hands roam freely over the woman he was making love to. He kissed her, touched her everywhere, reveling in the freedom and in her beauty. He kissed her tantalizing breasts, her beautifully rounded shoulders, her slender hands. Took her in his arms as he thrust as deeply as he could into her.
For her part, Aria couldn't seem to get enough of kissing his lips. She touched him everywhere, but always returned to his lips, pulling his head back up to hers while she rocked beneath him. Long, deep kisses, his lips on hers, until she began moaning in drawn-out ecstasy.
"Oh, I can't, I have to," she pulled his hands to her breasts, slowly settled back on the bed, clearly unable to maintain the field and orgasm at the same time. She moaned as Jeff continued to move, spread her legs wider for him, then began to quiver and gasp beneath him, shaking. She cried out, then again in a higher pitch as Jeff came inside her.
Jeff groaned in release, and sank into her welcoming arms. "That was wonderful," he murmured, barely aware that he was speaking aloud.
Aria sighed happily, and ran her hands over Jeff's arms, her touch gentle and soft. She smiled in satisfaction, a feeling she hadn't known for a long time, and pulled Jeff to her for another kiss.

Shepard had left Omega a few days ago, taking Jeff with her. Aria hadn't asked him to stay, and he hadn't offered. He did offer to write. Aria hadn't expected much.
"Aria? Did you hear anything I just said?" growled Anto.
Aria looked up from her datapad. "No, I didn't. Shut up and leave me alone."
Jeff had warned her, he spent a lot of time alone and read a lot. He had not warned her that he wrote love letters so passionate that Aria wondered why her datapad hadn't caught fire. She looked down at the letter again. "Right now, I'm dreaming that I'm kissing you again," the letter began. She stood up and walked to her private chambers.
"Aria," Anto began to complain.
"Shut the hell up," snapped Aria. "I'm going on vacation."
"We're going to be doing some searching on Ilium," Jeff had written in one part of the letter. "We'll be there for a while. There are lots of women on Ilium, but none of them are you. I'll hate every second of it."

"Jeff, you have a message."
"What?" Jeff pulled his messaging terminal. "What the - " He stared at the message, unbelieving. "This has to be a joke." He paged Serenity. "Hey, Commander, is it okay I take some shore leave?"
"Sure, Joker. Goldstein can take the helm while you're off."
"Thanks, Commander."
"Tell her I said hi!"
Jeff blushed. "Right." He stood up. "EDI, don't let anything bad happen while I'm away."
"I'll do my best," EDI replied.
Jeff changed into civilian clothes and grabbed a small box from his room. He left the ship, and walked nervously out of the docking bay, towards the Trading Floor. He almost didn't see her, at first. He stopped, stared at her. She had changed her face markings slightly, but her curves and her poise were unmistakable. She was wearing Human-style clothing, rather than the traditional Asari robes. A long, straight skirt, solid black, that swept her ankles, and a matching tight, sleeveless tank top. She was resting her bare arms on the railing, looking out at the skyscape. She turned, seeking him.
Their eyes met, and she smiled, as if grateful that he had come to see her. She walked up to him, moving so quickly and smoothly that her feet didn't seem to touch the ground.
"Hello," she pulled him into a soft, gentle hug. Kissed him.
Jeff put his arms around her, let himself settle into her kisses. "You're really beautiful," he murmured between caresses, not realizing that he was speaking aloud.
Aria blushed, and kissed him again, holding him close to her, gently and carefully, but passionately nonetheless.
Giggling in the background made her look up, and see that Serenity had roped off the area where they were embracing each other in yellow caution tape, and Zaeed was selling tickets to passerby.
"Commander," said Jeff in irritation. "Grow up."
Aria tried not to laugh, still holding Jeff in her arms. "I don't know, being trapped here and kissing you for a few hours seems like a good idea to me."
Jeff kissed her on the cheek. "Yeah, like you weren't going to do it anyway. Half of those credits are ours, old man."
Aria thrilled to hear him say it. Many years had passed since someone had been brave enough to declare themselves one with Aria, and this brash young Human did it without even thinking.
"Half? You'll take one-third and you'll like it. You want a larger share, show more skin," growled Zaeed.
"Okay," Aria smiled, "the show's over. C'mon, Jeff, let's get something to eat."
Zaeed handed a credit chit to Jeff while Serenity took down the tape barrier.
"What the - how long were we standing there?" said Jeff in disbelief.
Serenity broke into laughter and walked away with Zaeed.
Aria smiled, and put her arm protectively around Jeff. "Just ignore them."
"I don't dare ignore them," protested Jeff. "You don't know what kind of shenanigans they'll get into!" He put his arm around her waist, and they headed to the taxi stand together. "Where are we going?"
"Wherever. I just wanted to get away from Shepard. We can just wander the restaurant district until we find something we like."
"That sounds good."
"Or we could go to a hotel and have sex first."
Jeff chuckled. "Does the hotel have room service? Then we could do both."
"Hotel it is then." Aria directed the taxi to her hotel. She resisted touching him for all of three seconds, then started playing with his soft hair.
"Do I remind you of someone you used to know?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm still trying to figure out why you're so crazy about me."
Aria laughed. "No, I think the problem is I've never met anyone like you." She kissed him again, rejoicing in the enforced tenderness. "I do get a bit obsessive," she confessed. "I hope you don't mind."
"Well, I figure you'll get bored eventually, so I should enjoy myself while it lasts." Jeff forced himself to smile, as if the thought of being dumped didn't bother him.
Aria stared at him, savored the sudden glimpse of weakness. "I don't think," she said softly, her breasts heaving with restrained passion, "you have to worry about that." Aria leaned over, slid her hand between his legs, and kissed him again. "Not for a very, very long time."

Jeff was at the loading dock, counting up all the boxes and comparing them to the manifest. Usually, he hated this job. It made him tired, and he would have to sit down and then start again because he had lost his place. Having a beautiful assistant made this much more fun.
Especially when your assistant decided that breaks consisted of making out in midair.
Aria pulled away from him with a happy sigh and lowered them back down to the floor. "You're a magnificent kisser, Jeff," she purred happily.
Jeff blushed. "Well, you make it really easy."
She smiled at that, and kissed his cheek again.
"Oh, no, don't start, we have to get this manifest sorted before the warehouse closes."
Aria grinned. "I can wait for our next break." They walked down to the next stack of boxes, containing materials for repairing the Normandy. Jeff leaned comfortably on Aria, and began scanning and checking off boxes. Suddenly, Aria stiffened.
Jeff looked up. "Liara! What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Joker," said Liara sweetly. "Have you seen Shepard?"
"She's still at the main warehouse," Jeff pulled out his passcard and tossed it to her. "C17."
"Oh, thank you, Joker!" Liara ran off, almost skipping.
Jeff chuckled. He turned and looked at Aria. "Were you jealous?"
"No," said Aria defensively. "I just didn't know who she was."
"Oh, 'cause she's way too young for me. Shepard's the one who likes them just off the apple cart." Jeff grinned. "You were jealous, weren't you?"
Aria replied by kissing him.
"Don't be jealous of Liara, nobody exists for her except Shepard. Besides," Jeff kissed Aria gently, "by the time she's old enough for me, I'll be long dead."
Aria laughed, and Joker settled back, resting on her again. Aria watched him work, fascinated by his every move. She loved the fact that he fit perfectly into her arms. Aria pulled off his hat and ran her fingers through his hair, playing with the soft texture.
"You're doing it again. I'm not a puppy."
Aria laughed, and kissed the top of his head.
"Or a baby! I'm trying to work," he grumbled, but she knew he was only pretending to be displeased. "You only lasted nine minutes this time."
Aria laughed again. "I told you, you should have bet on it." Aria looked over at the warehouse entrance. "Some more company."
Jeff looked, "Hey, Jacob. What's up?"
"Joker. Aria. Have you seen Miranda anywhere?" Jacob asked.
Jeff shook his head. "I know Shepard is in the main warehouse. I thought Miranda was watching the ship?"
Jacob shook his head. "No, Shepard and I just finished up with the stores in the main warehouse, and Miranda took off a few hours ago. Thanks anyway." Jacob walked away.
"Aren't you done yet?" asked Aria. "I'm sick of being interrupted."
"Are you pouting? That's adorable!"
Aria glared at him. "I am not pouting. And if you don't stop, I'll – "
"You are pouting!" Jeff laughed. "Aw, don't worry, I'll finish up here in a few – "
Aria interrupted his mocking laughter by dropping to her knees in front of him, and gently but firmly pulling his hips to her.
"Oh, wait, this – here? Now? Um…"
Aria opened his pants, and laughed to find him stiff and hard. She didn't bother arguing with him, she just leaned forward, sliding his length between her lips, tasting him and listening to his hoarse moans of pleasure. Aria ran her tongue all over his stiffness, used her hands to hold him gently in place while she sank the entire length down her throat, licking and sucking Jeff until he cried out in warning. Aria used her hand to keep up the welcome pressure while she pulled away just enough so that when he came, she could swallow every drop.
Jeff sank back with a little groan, and she carefully pulled him into her arms so that he could rest against her.
"Wow," muttered Serenity. "You really like him."
"Shepard! What are you doing," snapped Aria, as Jeff tried to struggle to his feet and fix his pants.
"Oh, don't mind me, Joker. You keep doing what you're doing."
Jeff looked at her, and realized that Shepard had obviously been kissing someone – possibly more than that, considering that Serenity was flushed and her shirt awry. "Did you need something, Commander?"
"Oh, I was looking for Miranda. Or rather, Jacob is looking for Miranda. I thought she was around here somewhere."
"No, I thought she was in the main warehouse," Jeff finished fixing his clothes and let Aria pull him into her arms again. "Jacob already came by here, looking for her."
"Yeah, but I know she's in here somewhere. Or she was." She looked curiously at Jeff and Aria. "Have you two been here the entire time?"
Aria nodded.
"Hrm," Serenity made a noncommittal noise and looked around the warehouse. "I can smell her perfume."
Jeff looked at her in disbelief, but Aria sniffed the air and looked at Serenity in surprise.
"You're right."
Serenity grinned. "How can you smell anything like that?"
Aria wiped her face. "Will you go find your Cerberus cheerleader already?"
"Heh," Serenity laughed, and walked around the warehouse, straightening her clothes as she walked.
"What were you doing anyway, Commander?"
"Kissing Liara goodbye," called Serenity. "She got thoroughly out of hand."
Jeff laughed. "You sound surprised, Commander. I thought you knew that you make Liara crazy."
"I thought Liara came pre-crazy." Serenity knelt down in front of a pile of boxes that Miranda had turned into a little nest, and watched her sleeping crewmember. "How did you sleep through all that noise?" Miranda didn't move beyond stirring slightly. Serenity touched her hand, slightly distracted from her original mission by the softness of Miranda's skin. "Wake up, already." Miranda made a soft noise, and tried to brush her away. Serenity laid her hand on Miranda's forehead. "Oh, you're burning up. What are you doing out here, silly girl?"
Serenity lifted her easily, shifting Miranda so that the other woman's head was resting on her shoulder. "Let's get you to the medbay. I wonder if that's why Jacob was looking for her."
"Oh, you found her," said Jeff.
"Yeah, she's running a fever or something. I'll take her back to the ship."
Aria smiled at her. "I guess you don’t need any help with that."
Serenity laughed. "She weighs a lot less than the Cain. Jeff, could you tell Jacob that I found her, and let Chakwas know I'm bringing her to medbay?"
"Sure thing, Commander."
Miranda stirred slightly, and put her arms around Serenity without waking up. Serenity grinned. "I sure hope nobody I know sees me, this looks really bad!"
Jeff laughed. "I'm sure you'll be fine, Commander. I'll see you back at the ship."