Garrus watched the back of her helmet as she talked to the Officer.
"Spectres are above the law, that's dangerous." Officer said.
"But the Council needs people to do the dirty jobs." She countered.
Garrus watched as she deftly defended her species while gaining the officer's trust. In a few short exchanges, she'd been able to deflect his bait to goad her into an angry response. He shook his head. This human, this woman was unlike any other. That's probably why he'd decided to join her so quickly. He felt it, an instinct that she was different. She'd proven that time and time again on their missions over the past week.
A steady and hard soldier, she'd never crossed the line into blood-thirstiness, yet wasn't afraid to go outside the letter of the law when she needed to. She'd shown a soft side as well, even when Garrus didn't agree, and she'd turn out to be right. "More than one way to get the job done," she'd said once and given him a sideways smile.
He'd heard her defend Turians too, even when she thought no one else was listening. The other human female, Ashley Williams, had advised her to keep the aliens out of the Normandy systems. Garrus had been kneeling down by the Mako, checking the damage from the last mission. Turians had superior hearing to humans, and he knew they didn't think he could overhear. It was one of the few times he'd heard Shepard get angry as she reamed Ashley a new one over her racist attitude.
He continued to walk behind her as they made their way to her Ambassador's office. He and Tali stood off to the side as Shepard discussed the recent mission to Therum.
"Do you know how upset the Council was those ruins were destroyed!" Udina was red in the face.
Garrus shook his head, Humans really do like to yell at each other.
Anderson defended her, but Shepard spoke up for herself as well. As the heated exchange was over, the three of them left the office.
Garrus looked down at her, "Well, that went well." He said sarcastically.
She laughed, "Yea, just wait until things really get going."
"Do you think he'll cut you off from his support?" Garrus knew a Turian could never go against such a high ranking officer, Spectre or not.
"I don't think so. I try not to go too far out of bounds, but this mission is too important to play politics."
They walked to the elevators to C-sec. Tali was telling Shepard about her enviro-suit. Garrus thought back to how Shepard had handled the snide comments and innuendo the reporter had thrown at her yesterday. He looked down at Shepard, if he didn't know better, he'd think she was a Turian.
They made their way back to the Normandy, once inside, Shepard pulled Garrus aside.
"Do you think you have some time later to help me out with some strategy?"
Garrus was flattered, "Um, sure. Whenever you want, Shepard."
She beamed at him, "Great. I'll be in my quarters, maybe you could come by in about an hour?"
"No problem," he nodded.
An hour later in his casuals, he walked towards her quarters. The human male, Kaidan, was working on a control panel outside. Garrus frowned, he must be a pretty lousy engineer if he had to keep fixing the same parts. Kaidan looked up and caught his gaze. Garrus gave him a quick nod and walked towards the Commander's door.
He pinged it and he heard her yell enter. He opened it and she stood up, walking over to him.
"Garrus! Thanks for taking the time to come up here. Have a seat," she motioned to her table. He sat down, and looked at the datapads spread over it. She sighed, "I'm trying to prioritize the next mission. I could use your help."
He was perplexed, he was not her second in Command, yet she was seeking his input on the very nature of their mission. He cleared his throat, "You sure you shouldn't be asking Pressly?"
She shook her head no, "Not that I don't value his opinion, but I know he'll defer to standard procedure, and this mission is anything but standard." She eyed him critically, "Are you uncomfortable with me asking you?"
"No, I just don't want to make waves on the ship and cause problems."
She waved her hand, "My crew doesn't see it that way. They trust me, and if they don't, I'll prove it eventually." She handed him a datapad, "These are our options, I'm leaning towards going to Feros, but tell me what you think."
He reviewed the reports as she got up and walked to her cabinet. He looked up at her, "So Noveria's your second choice?"
She was rattling around glasses, "Yes."
"Hmm. I think you should consider going there before Feros. We are low on funds, short on supplies, we can stock up there. Feros is going to be a supply drain. It's a pretty barren world and small colony that's in distress." He looked up at her as she handed him an orange drink.
"What's this?"
"Turian ale. It's good, so I've heard."
He took a sip, "It's very good. Where did you get it?" he knew that wasn't Alliance standard issue.
She sat across from him, drinking something brown from her glass. "Last time we were on the Citadel, I ordered some and had it delivered with the shipment. I was hoping to be able to share a drink with you. Well, with some human rum for me." She raised her glass.
He was intrigued, "Indeed." He took another drink.
She picked up a datapad, "So, Noveria. I understand your point, but those colonists must really need our help. I'm not –"
The door pinged.
She grunted in frustration, "Yes? Enter."
Kaidan came in, "Shepard, I wanted to let you know that I fixed the short in the system." He looked past Garrus at her.
"Okay, thanks Kaidan." She looked steadily at him.
Garrus looked back over his shoulder at Kaidan who was starting to get red in the face. He's interested in her, he realized.
"We're doing some work here, can we discuss it later?" she said.
Garrus smirked, She's way out of your league, he thought, watching his face.
"Sure, later." He smiled broadly and turned to leave.
Garrus was perplexed at his reaction. He must really be blind. He turned back to face Shepard and saw the look of fondness on her face. Oh damn, she's into him. Shepard continued to talk about the plight of the colonists as Garrus mentally put the pieces together; Kaidan spending so much time right outside of her quarters, his barging in on them to check things out, her quick reassurance and plans for them to meet later. He nodded as Shepard talked, not paying attention to her words. How could someone like her be interested in someone like Kaidan?
He pointed out, "I still think Noveria's the best choice. Matriarch Benezia's there. Who knows how long she'll stay. We could be chasing her all over the galaxy."
She looked at the table and nodded, "Yes, that is the best choice," she sighed, "the colonists will have to wait. I guess that's why we have to make the hard choices."
"What do you mean?"
"Because we can see the big picture. Sacrifices have to be made. We can't save everyone." She set her jaw.
"Indeed, that is unfortunately true." He finished up his drink and set it down on the table. Standing up, he said, "Well, I'll be going then."
She frowned, "Wait – so soon? You don't have to. Sit, sit, and have another drink. We won't make it to Noveria until late so we'll have to put the mission off until tomorrow." She brought up her omni-tool and sent a message to Joker. She took his glass and went back to her cabinet.
Garrus sat down and rubbed his neck, "I, uh, thought you might have plans."
"Hm, what?" she asked.
"I thought you might be busy."
She walked back towards him and handed him a full glass, "I'm not too busy to get to know my crew. That is, if you have the time."
"Oh, definitely." He replied. They sat and talked for more than hour, about the mission, about human / Turian customs and culture. She asked a lot of questions, she was interested in all facets of his home world. They laughed and drank and another hour went by. Finally Garrus got up, "It's getting late, I'd better go. I'm going to get something to eat, do you want to go down to the mess hall?"
She stood up and stretched, "Thanks, but I've got to finish my research on Noveria to prep for tomorrow. I appreciate you coming by."
"Anytime Shepard, I enjoy your company." He opened her door and walked out.
She leaned against the doorway, "Same here Garrus." She smiled, then her face changed, annoyed. He looked behind him and saw Kaidan sitting at a table, glaring at them.
"I hope I didn't get you in trouble or anything," Garrus said under his breath.
She shook her head, "No, don't worry about it."
Garrus turned and walked past Kaidan towards the elevators. He could just hear him complaining to Shepard, "You guys were in there working for a while."
Garrus rolled his eyes and got in the elevator towards cargo bay. She can't be serious about that idiot.