A/N: Ah yes, I decided to write something from the Mass Effect Universe. The idea of this story is to have some "conversations" (mainly between Shepard and Garrus) which I felt that they could've had in the series. This is mainly due to Garrus' famous "I'm in the middle of some calibrations" line which occur in ME2.

I'm mainly just writing this to get my mind set so I can comfortably write in this universe before I go for a major story.

Anyways, this chapter occurs in Mass Effect 2, just after Horizion. I know it's not particularly long, but it's a start :)

Part 1 - After Horizion

"Shepard." Garrus instinctively turns around upon hearing the doors to the Main Battery open. "Need me for something?"

"Have you got a minute?" Shepard asks in his usual tone. Garrus turns back around to face the console which he's been working at since entering the Normandy SR2. He bows his head slightly.

"I'm guessing you want to talk about what happened back on Horizon?" Shepard notices a tinge of annoyance within the turian's voice. "There's really not much to say," Garrus continued, "We work for Cerberus now and Kaidan just doesn't want to be a part of that."

"We don't work for Cerberus." Shepard corrects, "They're 'funding our mission', remember?"

"Call it what you want Shepard. But to all the outsiders, we'll always be known as the evil doers whilst we're part of them."

Shepard contemplates his friend's words as his mind jumps back about an hour.

Do you really believe that? Or is that just what Cerberus wants you to think? I wanted to believe the rumours that you were alive, but I never expected anything like this. You've turned your back on everything we stood for! … I want to believe you, Shepard. … You show up after two years and tell me you're working with Cerberus. Where does reason figure into any of this?

You've changed...

Shepard's thoughts are cut short with the feel of a claw on his shoulder.

"Shepard," Garrus says calmly whilst looking out at the same battery that Shepard is staring at, "Kaidan is probably the most loyal human I have ever come across. The problem here is that he's still highly regarded within the Alliance. Look at it from his perspective. If he was to join Cerberus, he would most likely end up severely reprimanded. And before you say anything like 'It was easy for Joker and Chakwas to defect,' remember that Joker was grounded and Chakwas wasn't particularly happy being on that moon base or wherever she was."

Shepard just stood there with hands clinging onto the rail, still staring at the battery in front of him. He is completely unaware that Garrus' focus has changed to him.

"Besides," Garrus continues, "You still have me. And I will always walk into hell with you. Now come on," the turian turns his human friend around to face the door, "go get some rest. It'll do you some good."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Shepard half-heartedly says whist grabbing Garrus' outstretched forearm. They bring each other in close as their friendly handshake, using the free hand to complete a hug.

Garrus returns to his calibration console after Shepard leaves.

Hopefully he'll be ok after some sleep.