***Author's Note***

So, with this little piece I wanted you to see not so much the sex that they're going to have after dinner, sprawled across the bed in the loft, staring up through that skylight at the stars. I wanted you to see the planning, the details, the fact that Garrus wanted her to have that chance, that night where they *could* have that sex, they *could* watch those stars pass over them. She's spent so much of her life in space for so long and now she's grounded, she's pregnant, so much is changing, and he wants to give her a moment that brings who she thinks she was and who she is now together and lets them meet, lets them realize they're the same person. So, yeah, that's what I was feeling. Um...I hope you enjoy!

"Specialist Traynor?" Garrus called as he jogged to catch up to Samantha.

"Oh, hi, Garrus," Traynor stopped so her former crew mate could catch up to her. She was walking back to the Normandy to report for duty.

"I need a favor," Garrus began as he stopped in front of her. "I was really hoping you could help me out."

"What is it?" Traynor asked.

"Well, tomorrow is Valentine's day. That human holiday to celebrate love," Garrus explained. "And I had an idea for something to do for Jane, but I can't make it work by myself."

"And that's where I come in?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"Yes," Garrus' mandibles flared and Sam knew the look in his eyes. It was the same look he got whenever he was scheming.

"Ooh," Traynor grinned. "What are you planning?"

"Promise to help and I'll tell you," Garrus baited.

"Come on, then," She gestured toward the docks. "I have to get back to the Normandy."

"Great!" Garrus followed along. "I need to talk to Joker, too."

Garrus filled her in on his plan to surprise his wife for their first Valentine's day and Sam felt her heart melting at the thoughtfulness that Garrus exhibited. He wasn't human, and he barely understood human holidays like Valentine's and Christmas, but that didn't stop him from celebrating them, for Jane's sake. Truth be told, she was starting to believe he liked them as well, though he wouldn't say it out loud.

"Is there anything I shouldn't make?" She asked as they stepped into decontamination.

"Well, the books say no fish. And anything extremely strong smelling makes her feel sick," Garrus explained. "She's been really liking pasta. Fettuccine, I think."

"Okay, that's simple. What about yourself?" Traynor had gotten very good at cooking Dextro based foods with having both Tali and Garrus on board the Normandy through the invasion.

"Um, really, I was just expecting you'd make Jane's dish. I can handle my own."

"Garrus, I'm already dirtying the kitchen, all you have to do is pay for the groceries," She said.

"Well, if it's not too much trouble," He conceded. "I'll have the groceries delivered to the Normandy then."

"Here?" Traynor pointed toward the decking below her. "Why here? I thought I would be cooking at your home."

"Ahh, that's where Joker comes in," Garrus shot her that devious look again, winking as he exited decontamination and turned toward the cockpit.

"Hey!" Joker turned his chair. "What are you doing here? I figured you and Jane would be locked up in your little love nest for at least another seven months."

"I'm here to ask a favor," Garrus started.

The conversation that followed was similar to the one he'd had with Traynor. He explained his plan for the following evening and Joker and EDI agreed to help him.

"Of course, we need Hackett to approve this little field trip," Joker explained.

"Already taken care of," Garrus said. "I was coming from Hackett's office when I ran into Specialist Traynor. He has approved Jane taking temporary command of the Normandy from 1800 tomorrow until 0800 on February fifteenth."

"Sa-weet!" Joker held his fist out to Garrus who carefully bumped his own knuckles against the pilots'.

"Wait," Joker's excitement at helping to surprise his previous Commander dried up as quickly as it'd arrived. "Does the current Commander know about this plan of yours?"

"Yes," Williams spoke up from behind Garrus. "Garrus spoke to me before he ever went to Hackett. I will be ordering all personnel except a very skeleton crew off the ship as of 1400 tomorrow, which should give everyone enough time to prepare for this outing."

"I really appreciate this, Ash."

"No problem," Ashley waved his thanks away. "You make Shep...I mean Jane, happy, and that's what matters."

The next evening Garrus ushered Jane out of the house with the promise of a traditional Valentine's date.

"Everything I've found said it's customary for couples to go out and enjoy each other's company," Garrus said as he helped her into their waiting transportation. "So that's what we're doing."

"Garrus," Jane shook her head. "You don't need to do this, I would've been content to stay in and enjoy your company."

She leaned against him in the back seat of the car, walking her fingers up his chest and toward his neck as she said, "We could've watched a vid, cuddled on the couch, enjoyed each other in ways that aren't socially acceptable when we're in public."

"Jane," Garrus caught her wandering hand as it reached his shoulder, holding it in his own before pressing her knuckles to his mouth. "We can do that any night, but tonight is special."

She turned in the seat, still pressed against him but no longer gazing up toward his face. He bit his tongue to keep from spilling the secret of where they were going when he saw her lower lip jut out into a small pout. He rubbed his chin against the top of her head but didn't try to assure her that she would like what he had planned. He knew she would and he wanted the whole thing to be a surprise.

He'd gone to great lengths to make sure she had no idea what was happening tonight, including paying extra to have the driver deliver them directly into the cargo bay of the Normandy. And because of the tinted glass between the front and back seats of the car, Jane had no idea where they'd landed until the doors opened and Garrus helped her out of the vehicle.

"What is all this?" Jane asked as she took in her surroundings. It only took her a moment to realize she was standing in the cargo hold of the Normandy.

"My idea of a traditional Valentine's date," Garrus explained as he held his arm out to her. "The vids suggested something romantic and unexpected."

"Well this was definitely unexpected," Jane agreed as she wound her arm through his and they walked toward the elevator.

She leaned against him as the elevator moved slowly from the cargo hold to the CIC. They stepped free of the lift and were greeted by Admiral Hackett and Lt. Commander Williams.

"Commander," Williams' heels clicked as she snapped to attention, saluting.

"What is going on?" Jane looked to her husband who's mandibles were spread in a wide turian grin.

"I am authorized to relinquish control of this vessel from this time, 1800 the fourteenth of February 2187 until 0800, the fifteenth of February 2187," Williams lowered her hand from the salute, then offered it to Jane.

"Thank you, Ashley," Jane felt her throat constricting as she shook her friend's hand then pulled Ashley close for a hug. She was choking on emotions, more than she could possibly understand.

"Have fun, Jane," Ashley smiled as she pulled out of the embrace and headed for the airlock near Joker.

"Hey, Commander!" Joker called over the intercom. "Glad to have you back!"

"It's just temporary, Flight Lieutenant," Admiral Hackett spoke up before Jane could say anything.

"Suuuure," Joker teased. "Whatever you say, Admiral."

"Joker," Jane warned.

"Alright, alright. No hijacking the ship to chase after enemies bent on wiping out the galaxy," He sighed before cutting off the connection.

"I have already programmed in the co-ordinates you requested, Garrus," EDI called. "The engine is warming up and we will be airborne within ten minutes."

"That's my cue to leave," Hackett said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder and toward the airlock Ashley had exited a few moments earlier. "I just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentine's day. And to request that you keep your joy riding down to a minimum tonight, you have to have her back at the dock by 0800."

"Yes, Admiral," Jane held out her hand to Hackett. He looked down at it before reaching forward and pulling her toward him for a brisk hug.

"Enjoy you two," Hackett called over his shoulder before whispering to himself, "Lord knows you both deserve it."

"Amen," Joker whispered just as quietly as he watched Jane and Garrus enter the elevator again and head up to the loft.

"I can't believe you set all of this up," Jane said as she finished her dinner. They were seated at a small table, complete with white table cloth and candle light, in front of the now empty fish tank.

"I know you miss being here," He explained. "I know that being grounded has been driving you stir crazy. So I thought we'd take one more ride through the stars before we can't anymore. At least for a while."

His gaze dropped to her middle and the barely visible baby bump there.

She reached across the table, taking her hand in his and squeezing.

"Very romantic," She smiled.

"Oh, I'm not done," Garrus said. "I have one more gift for you."

"A gift?" She shifted in her chair, turning so she was facing him as he pulled open the top desk drawer. He withdrew a small, wrapped box and handed it to her.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Open it," He motioned for her to hurry as he watched her tear the paper from the present, revealing the jewelry box.

Her jaw dropped, her lips forming a small 'O' as she opened the lid of the box. She gently pulled the necklace free of the velvet lining and held it up.

"I wanted a way to symbolize how I feel for you," Garrus explained as he gently took the chain from her fingers, opening the clasp before circling her neck with the chain and closing the clasp again. He ran his fingers down the chain until he was holding the pendant. "And I found these Celtic knots on the extranet. They're perfect, no matter where you start on the design, as you trace along you will never find an end, it goes on for eternity. I'm hoping that I'm allowed to have that long with you. I love you."

When he looked up he saw tears shining in her eyes just before she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his mouth.

"I love you, too," She said against him. "For eternity."

He let go of the pendant, letting it fall against her chest where it rested above her heart then cupped her face and kissed her fully. After thoroughly kissing her, he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers.

"Happy Valentine's, love."

"Happy Valentine's, Garrus."

(Back in the cockpit)

EDI reached across the gap between their seats, wrapping her finger's around Jeff's hand as they watched the couple in the loft. Garrus' gift was perfect, so well thought out, and it symbolized their relationship exquisitely.

"Happy Valentine's, Jeff," She spoke softly.

"Happy Valentine's," He returned as he turned off the security feed.