First chapter in a series..... :) Analyzing the minute, simple details of the FemShep/Garrus relationship. Just a warning: this one is probably going to venture a little more into a specific FemShep background. I know, I try to keep them as ambiguous as I can, but I've got these ideas, and....anyway, enjoy.

After Sovereign

"Damn, Commander, you seriously walked up the outside of the tower? With Sovereign sitting right on top of you?"

Shepard laughed at Joker's comment. "I could've reached out and shook hands if I'd really felt inclined. If I hadn't been a little busy fighting off all the damned Geth, that is."

"Gee, thanks for making my awesome coup-de-grace on the big metal abomination look utterly weak in comparison. Really appreciate that."

More laughter. A crewman demanded the whole story from the beginning, and the commander obliged. Several seats away Garrus swirled his drink around in its glass thoughtfully, watching Shepard grin as though she hadn't been inches from a near-certain death two days ago. It fascinated him, but before long someone was drawing his attention.

"Good evening, Garrus," Tali's filtered voice commented. "I have heard you're leaving us."

"Well, it's been exciting, to say the least," he replied with a noncommittal gesture. "But I also had some time to think ahead, to think about the future. It's better right now if I go back to the Citadel. What about you- aren't you heading back to the Fleet?"

"Well…yes, soon enough. I thought I would help Shepard deal with the remaining Geth, first." She traced absently on the counter. "I'm not really in a big hurry to go home yet."

"I know what you mean," Garrus mused a little wistfully. The group of humans burst into a sudden explosion of raucous laughter, drawing his attention. It was always a little jarring when that happened. Humans…

"It's been nice serving with you," Tali offered. It occurred to Garrus that she might be feeling similarly excluded from the celebrant Alliance crew. He gave an extended nod.

"Likewise, Tali. Listen, do me a favor and watch out for Shepard, would you? Not that she needs a bodyguard or anything, but she can get in a little over her head sometimes."

"I will. Well, I'm heading back to the ship for the night, but you take care."

They exchanged a gesture of raising hands in farewell, and soon Garrus was alone with his drink again. Tali was the last of the non-Alliance to depart Joker's affectionately termed "After-Party," other than himself. He began to think reluctantly about heading in to the new apartment he'd had set up. What few tings he had wouldn't be moved in yet, but being alone there wasn't much different than being alone here. Quieter, maybe.

He'd only just finished his glass when he turned to see Shepard sliding onto a neighboring stool. His plans for a tactical retreat were put on indefinite hold as he politely turned his full attention to her. She smiled back, leaning forward on her elbows over the counter.

"You did good, Garrus." She pressed a hand against his shoulder, and for a moment a writhing sensation of discomfort hit him. The touch was fleeting, however, and he was able to regain his train of thought once it was over.

"You didn't do too bad yourself. Taking out hordes of Geth, a rogue Spectre and a Reaper all in one day. Impressive."

Shepard tilted her head forward at him. "Well, the Reaper wasn't much my doing. And anyway, I didn't do it alone."

"No, but being able to assemble and lead a team like yours made all of the difference, and that was no small feat in itself."

She responded with a sardonic chuckle and shook her head. "Aww, you're gonna make me blush. You know, you could just take the compliment."

"I could, if I needed to boost my ego. As it stands, I'll let you take most of the credit on this one. Don't think I won't be mentioning it on my Specter application, though."

"That's the spirit." Shepard beamed, raising a glass as though in toast. After finishing it off, she seemed to lapse into absent thought as they listened to the noise in the background. He stared into the bottom of his empty glass a moment, to the point where he was startled by the sudden warmth of her bare hand touching his.

"I'm going to miss you, Garrus."

He pulled his hand away in surprise. Shepard looked at him, leaning back carefully.

"You okay?"

"I- no, it's fine." He quickly gathered himself. "And I'll miss…working with you."

Her head tilted a little, but she thankfully didn't dwell on his sudden loss of composition. He didn't need to bore her with a lecture about turians and their general discouragement of casual touching. If she'd meant it intentionally, that hand-brush might have been a rather forward gesture. But she hadn't done. And she wasn't a turian, anyway.

"You'll be busy, anyway. I'm sure that since the turians already have plenty of Spectres, it'll be more hard work for you than it was for me."

"More than likely," he agreed. "But thanks to Saren a couple of spots have opened up. I know it'll be worth it."

Then what? We would be two Spectres, sailing through the galaxy, crushing criminals and merc scum under our heels with no one to stand in our way? Daft thought. We'd both be working our asses off, and cross paths only on occasion, at best. Why had he ever started imagining that, or when?

"I hope so," Shepard smiled encouragingly. "Good luck."

"You too, commander. I suppose I'd best be going; they're going to need all of the help they can get putting everything back together on the Citadel."

They stood in a synchronized fashion, and stood a moment in reluctant silence.

"So, how does a turian bid a fond farewell to a good friend they won't see for a while?"

Garrus blinked and looked slightly away as he scratched at the back of his head. Commanders and friends were normally separate entities, not like Shepard, who could lead him in battle and then afterward still take interest in him as a person rather than any other soldier. A parting from a superior was very different than that from a trusted comrade. He glanced down at his gloveless hand. Why had he left them, anyway? They were standard apparel, a way to differentiate personal interactions.

He decided against analyzing his subconscious and took his unknowing decision for what it was. This felt appropriate. Screw formalities. He extended his hand towards Shepard, as he had once before, but without the social buffer. She smiled and accepted it with her smooth but strong grip. Her touch was cool, firm. Everything he'd come to expect.

"Good enough," Shepard sounded strangely amused. "Stay out of trouble, Garrus."

"Won't be a problem," Garrus almost chuckled. "Till we meet again, Shepard."

He ruminated on his hand thoughtfully. Certainly the pang that hit him in the gut as he walked away was a hesitance to leave the enjoyment of traveling with the most extraordinary human in the galaxy. He would keep busy, the time would fly, and he'd be back out there again soon enough.

With Shepard.