The Return (a Mass Effect fan fiction) post Mass Effect 3
My Character
Jane Brienne "Brie" Shepard
Spacer Adept, War Hero, Paragon
Romanced Garrus Vakarian, sister to Tali'Zorah, best friends with Liara T'Soni, buddies with Jack, Legion, and Mordin, indifferent to rest of the crew
This fanfic is rated M for later content
Disclaimer: Mass Effect and all it's characters , races, their tech, extraterrestrial locations, organizations, Starships, generalized story line, and all previously written outcomes are the sole property of Bioware and have been used without permission for the purpose of fan based entertainment and love for the series. I do NOT make profits from this. I write this for my enjoyment and love of this series and all others who feel the same way.
Author's note/warning to any and all who read this know now that this work is based on the extended cut of the control Ending to the game and this will contain mature content down the line dealing with interspecies adult romantic relations. So if any of this offends you turn back now because I will not change it and do not apologize for my opinions on the game based on how people think that game shoulda ended. You have been warned.
Chapter 1
Garrus Vakarian stood quietly at his console in the Main Battery of the Normandy reading the words again. Shepard was alive, as he had hoped and she would meet him on Palaven. The message had been sent three months ago, six months after the Reaper's backed off and her reported disappearance.
They were still a good month outside of Turian controlled space and time seemed to crawl. Yes she was alive and yes she was coming home.
SSSSSS
Palaven: 4 weeks later
The heat of the evening on Palaven was a force to be reckoned with, stifling, more so for Jane Brienne Shepard or Brie for short. The long sleeves and deep hood of the tunic she was wearing added to her discomfort. The garment itself was of Quarian design and while it lacked the mechanics of their suits it was made of a material that shielded her from the radiation of the direct sunlight on the planet surface.
She looked around at the camp she lived and worked in, one of three camps that resided near the capitol. Many of the six thousand souls that called this one home were still sleeping having been given little to no protection the sun's harmful radiation; they were forced to conduct all their business in the twilight and late night hours. Seeing is how all was quiet and well she started her ten minute hike to the Space port in the capitol. Transportation had still yet to be reestablished leaving all inhabitants to walk to where they needed to go.
Cipritine had become a melting pot of refugees Quarian, Krogan, Asari, a few Geth and the Occasional Batarian, plus all the displaced Turians. The space port was no different as refugee ships continued to poor in. Normally she would avoid the port at such times of the day, but her Intel from the Nazara Harbinger. Her once bitter enemy had indicated that her former ship would dock at some point today. The Information was spot on as it appeared to have just come in.
A wave of anxiety washed over her, this was the first time she would be seeing members of her former crew since ending the war and becoming the Reapers, none of them knew. She honestly didn't consciously remember making the decision to create an avatar body genetically identical to her original body, the one rebuilt by Cerberus anyway. But wouldn't that mean she wasn't herself anymore. She still retained all her memories, ones that could never be duplicated bonds with friends and sweet forget-me-nots she shared with Garrus, There was still a strong connection to him she felt it with every fiber of her being.
SSSSSS
It was good, almost nostalgic to be back home in Cipritine even with the burned up remains of the buildings in the city. Garrus Vakarian drew in a deep cleansing breath before following Edi and Tali onto the ramp. He scanned the crowd for a moment and spotted a hooded figure, the glint of a pair of silver dog tags brandishing the Alliance N7 logo around their neck and stood frozen as he met a familiar pair of green eyes they looked worn but still reminiscent of that spunky fire he'd grown to love. Brie. His look softened as she ran to meet him. He lifted her up as her arms wrapped around his cowl. "Spirits, Brie, it's really you."
"Garrus." She mumbled against his neck. "I missed you so much."
He drew her in for a kiss "Spirits, I missed you too." He whispered and deepened the kiss probing his rough tongue against her lips and she parted them eagerly.
"Still want to retire somewhere tropical and live of the proceeds?"
He chuckled at this and let her down. It was her, smelled like her even. The Reaper war had ended and they were now helping in to rebuild process, they owed it all to her, she deserved her return. "Definitely." He took her hand and led her back into the Normandy Tali and Edi in tow. She lowered her hood and was greeted by Joker and Chakwas.
"Good to see you again, Shepard." The older woman pulled her into a hug. "When Garrus told us he heard from you I thought he was losing his mind. "
"I suppose now we will have to remove your name from the memorial wall." Liara responded hugging her as well.
Brie pulled away as though burned. "No, please don't do that the old Shepard is gone now, I'm not her anymore."
"Stop this talk, you ARE Brie Shepard, my Brie." Her lover boomed from directly behind her. "We went through this a year and a half ago when Cerberus rebuilt you. This is no different. You are you; do you remember my request after telling you I wanted to retire with you?"
She met his gaze. "You wanted to find out what a Turian Human baby looked like."
"No one else could have known that. You've just been through hell and back, you're exhausted."
She rested the back of her head against his chest sighing quietly. "You're right." His touch did wonders. "Where are the others?"
"Vega and Alenko are down in the shuttle bay." Joker stepped forward Edi clasped to his side. Javik went his own way but the others are still around. Oh and the Turian Councilor and Primarch are on board they needed transport back here and Garrus was insistent on finding you so we offered a lift."
"Fair enough. "She turned back to Garrus. "So what are your plans now?"
"We should go to the lounge it will be easier to fill you in."
SSSSSS
The crew deck was surprisingly busy when the seven of them stepped off the lift. Adrien Victus and Sparatus stood up from the table they are seated at when they approached. The other crew members including Ken and Gabby were scattered around taking advantage of a little downtime.
"Shepard I am beginning to think you have… what do you humans call it? Nine lives is it?" the Councilor spoke up as they all took their seats again. "So does this mean you control them now, the Reapers?"
She looked around suspiciously. "I wouldn't say that too loudly, people won't take that sitting down. I'd rather not attract any negative attention."
Garrus grabbed her hand under the table. "Enough about that, Victus came up with a unique proposition and Hacket agreed with it."
"I take it this was done off the record?"
"Not exactly." Victus took a sip of water. "He is going to make a formal request to the right sources. If all goes well, we will establish embassies on both Earth and Palaven."
"It would be an act of good faith to forget the unhappy past and to assist each other in the rebuilding of our worlds." The councilor spoke again.
Brie leaned into Garrus. "What other cards are you planning on bringing to the table?"
"We were hoping to find you for this." The Primarch interjected. "You and Alenko would serve as human liaison to Palaven and we would send two Turian Liaison to Earth and a proposal of a Turian and Human union. Garrus here decided to volunteer you and him, provided we did find you."
She released his hand. "While this seems a bit sudden it would at least be a start, if the Alliance goes for it."
Garrus nuzzled her temple. Before we do any contacting I want to search the camps, my father and Solana took one of the first transports back here. I want to also hike up to the estate if we don't find any leads in case they went there."
She stood "I think we should wait, the sun will be down in a few hours that'll allow the others to help."
"Its settled." he stood and lifted her bridal style. "For now let's head up to OUR cabin to get reacquainted and settle in for a nap. You can't deny that you're exhausted."
His tone sent a shiver down her spine. "As wonderful as that sounds we are not alone in here and I have to see the others. So put me down."
"Not a Chance, you're dead on your feet and there will be time for that later." He said moving in the direction of the elevator despite her protesting.