Chapter Text
“Zaeed?” Grace called as she entered Starboard Cargo Hold, the area that the merc had made his home.
They’d just gotten back from Zorya after Zaeed took on his old friend turned enemy, Vido. When they arrived back on the Normandy, Zaeed had slinked off without saying much. He was a hard man to read, he had an angry front, but surely he had to go much deeper than that? Maybe he didn’t, but Grace wanted to check on him anyway. She had grown fond of the merc, inside she was still hurting from Wrex ending things, but she hadn’t completely closed herself off to others.
“In here.” His rough voice came. Zaeed was leaning back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. “I owe you a goddamn drink, that was a hell of a mission...twenty years...twenty goddamn years and I finally got that bastard.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” Grace smiled. “It was good to watch that bastard burn, got what was coming to him...the way the coward begged at the end...pathetic.”
“That’s Vido for you.” Zaeed pressed his head back against the wall, and took a deep breath. “Can’t believe I actually got him...I didn’t get the chance to thank you back there.”
“Don’t even mention it, watching that fucker fry was thanks enough...and that explosion, fucking incredible.”
“You're a vicious little bitch aren’t you?” Zaeed smirked. “Carry on like that and you could take over the goddamn world.”
“Here’s fucking hoping.” Grace lifted herself up onto the security desk and folded one leg on top of the other. “What you mentioned back there...Took six men to hold you down just so he could shoot you in the fucking face, and you still survived? You must have been a force to be reckoned with.”
“Damn fucking right I was...probably wouldn’t take that many now.” Zaeed’s eyes ran over Grace, he felt a slight thump in his chest. She had a fire in her eyes, one he’d once had...most people called him reckless, ruthless, but not her. She lit up when he told her his stories, of which there were many. It had been so long since he’d felt any kind of affection for anyone, Zaeed had forgotten what it felt like, until now.
“So, what brings you down to this shithole?” Zaeed asked.
“Just checkin’ on you, didn’t say a word when we got back.” Grace shrugged, her foot tapping the air. “Got worried...so...are you alright?”
“‘Course I’m fucking alright.” Zaeed laughed roughly. “Ain’t you got more important shit to be worryin’ ‘bout other than me?”
“Eh, that shit can wait.” Grace shrugged and took hold of her knee with both hands. “Maybe I just like your company.”
“I’ll say...you spend half your time down in this fucking pit with me, I might start thinkin’ you like it down here.” It was true, Grace spent a lot of her time with Zaeed, listening to his stories. She just liked the sound of his voice. He could talk about anything and she’d be drawn in.
“Well...you never come to my quarters to talk, so I have to come here!” Grace tried to hint that she was inviting him to her room, unsure if Zaeed had picked up on it.
Zaeed paced across the floor and leaned onto the desk next to Grace, folding his arms over his chest again. “You’re a hell of a woman, good aim, didn’t miss a single goddamn Blue Sun back on Zorya.”
Standing this close to Grace, Zaeed realised he could smell her perfume...it was strong, making his head spin. He could also see right down her shirt, he tried not to look but when it was that exposed, it was difficult. Looking at Grace’s chest was a lot easier than looking at her face, if he did that Zaeed was almost certain he’d try to kiss her. He didn’t want to complicate things...but then again...he did.
“Glad I wasn’t hired to kill you, wouldn’t stand a fucking chance....neither do the collectors.”
“I wouldn’t be very good at my fucking job if I went around missing targets, but you’re sweet to notice.” Grace giggled, almost sweetly. “Anyway, I won’t take up anymore of your time...sure you’ve got shit to do.” She jumped down from the desk.
“Yeah, sure.” Zaeed stood up right, a little sad that Grace was leaving, but he didn’t show it. “You know where I am if you need anything.”
“I do.” Grace opened the door. “Bye Jessie!” She waved goodbye to Zaeed’s old rifle before leaving.
Zaeed watched the doors close behind Grace and sighed. “What a goddamn mess I’ve got myself into, Jessie.” He told his gun. She didn’t respond.
Zaeed had picked up on Grace’s hint, but wasn’t sure if he’d heard it right. He thought at his age he’d be able to figure things out. He stood at the door to Grace’s room, he’d gotten this far but as he stood there, he felt frozen. Zaeed turned to leave, but then the elevator doors opened...and he and Grace came face to face. His heart began to bang in his chest, it felt like it could burst through his armour. He could do this, he could take down a Krogan Warlord, he could talk to a woman he was attracted to.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Zaeed blurted out, he cringed inside when he heard his own voice.
Grace just laughed. “I was in the mess hall getting some food...why, were you worried?” She smirked.
“Don’t be fucking stupid...just been here a while is all.”
“You have such a way with words.” Grace sighed happily. “Since you’re here...come in.” Grace entered her room, Zaeed followed her in.
“Nice room you got here.”
“I like it, make yourself comfortable.” Grace flopped down onto her couch, kicking her shoes off.
Zaeed sat at the other end. “Thought I should make the effort to come and see you, since it’s usually the other way around.”
“Were you missing me?” Grace teased.
“I wouldn’t say that.” Zaeed lay his arms on his legs, letting his hands rest in the gap between his thighs.
“I’m only teasin’...but I missed you.” Grace watched Zaeed and waited for his reaction, she felt like she couldn’t breathe...maybe she shouldn’t have said it...she was going to scare him off, he’d never speak to her again.
“You only saw me an hour ago.” Zaeed grumbled.
“But here you are...in my room, after only an hour.”
Zaeed lifted his head, Grace met his eyes. The room was deathly silent, apart from the rattle of Zaeed's chest when he breathed. Grace’s chest rose as she breathed, she waited for Zaeed to say something. To get up and curse at her then leave, but he didn’t. He just stared at her. How much time had passed? A few minutes? Hours? Neither of them were sure, but they couldn’t stay locked in this stalemate forever. Grace made the first move, shuffling along the cough so they were close together. She got up onto her knees, lifting her hands, she placed one on Zaeed’s neck, and the other on the back of his head.
Zaeed moved into the kiss first though. His toned arms wrapped around Grace’s waist and pulled her into his lap. They kissed like they were fighting, like they were trying to beat each other. Zaeed grabbed the back of Grace’s shirt, Grace ran her fingers through Zaeed’s hair. Grace’s chest pressed against Zaeed’s, her thighs gripping his lap like a vice. Complicated or not, they didn’t show any signs of stopping. Zaeed moved to the edge of the couch, he was ready to stand and carry Grace to the bed...but then Joker’s voice boomed over Grace’s room.
“Uh...commander...The Illusive man is waiting for you in the comm room.”
“Goddamn Illusive Man…” Zaeed growled. “I’m going to break every single fucking one of Joker’s glass bones.”
“Don’t do that, he won’t be able to drive.” Grace sighed. “I better go...but...you can wait here.”
“You expect me to sit around and wait for you?”
“Yeah...or you can fuck off back to the cargo hold, alone.”
“I won’t move a goddamn muscle.”
“Smart man.” Grace climbed off Zaeed’s lap. “I won’t be long.” She kissed his forehead.
Zaeed grabbed Grace’s arm and pulled her back into his lap. “Fuck the Illusive Man.”
Grace laughed and wrapped her arms around Zaeed’s neck. “You’re going to get me in trouble!”
“Like you care about that.”
“Hmmm...you got me there…”
“Commander...sorry to bother you...again...but, you know, he’s waiting.”
“Right...now I really have to go.” Grace managed to squirm out of Zaeed’s grip. “I swear...I won’t be long, he hates talking to me anyway.”
“Better be goddamn quick.” Zaeed got comfortable on Grace’s couch.
“You’re cute when you’re mad.” Grace smirked and left her room, locking her door behind her.
Zaeed smirked when he saw the door turn red, he knew he wasn’t going anywhere. “Hell of a woman.”