As the shuttle lifted off, Garrus sat back gazing out the window. "There's nothing like taking out a few mechs to make your day. Thanks, Shepard." Garrus smiled as he elbowed her. Smiling she turned toward Thane, to find him studying her. Meeting her gaze he gave her a small bow.
"How long have you known each other?" Shepard sat silent, surprised by his question. Garrus chuckled. "You mean before Shepard got spaced and brought back?" Thane nodded, confusion furrowing his brow. "Yes." Garrus turned to Shepard.
"How long did it take us to track and take Saren out?" Shepard sorted through her memories, from the time when she was made a Spectre, until the Battle of the Citadel. Shepard studied Garrus.
"About a year." Garrus sat thinking."It was longer." Furrowing her brow, Shepard realized it was over a year. "Give or take a few months." Garrus added.
"I would say a little over a year, close to two." Shepard replied. Garrus nodded in agreement.
"I see." Thane continued to study Shepard. Seeing him looking at her, Shepard held his stare. Appearing surprised, he turned his gaze to Garrus.
"I am familiar with Omega." Garrus seemed surprised.
"Omega is sure familiar with me." Garrus chuckled.
"I do not understand." Shepard suppressed the urge to laugh, instead smiled widely at Garrus and shook her head.
"Garrus, it's your story. I'll let you tell it." Garrus groaned.
"So there I was I picked a fight with three merc gangs, Blue Suns, Eclipse and Blood Pack. I got myself in a tight spot. I was holed up at my base camp while the three gangs thought of ways to take me out. Shepard swooped in and pulled me out but not before letting a gunship take a shot at me." Garrus looked at Shepard. Shaking her head, Shepard laughed.
"Hell Garrus, you shouldn't have jumped in front of it. Besides, women like men with scars." Garrus began to laugh.
"Last time I looked, there were no Krogan women aboard the Normandy." Shepard nodded her head in agreement.
"I can rectify that." Garrus made a supplication gesture as he mocked Shepard.
"Would you Commander? I would really appreciate it!" Cocking her head to one side, Shepard appeared to consider Garrus' request.
"For you, no." Garrus looked down acting hurt.
"I just can't win." Shepard sat back and looked from Garrus to Thane. His face was serene but his eyes shined brightly with curiosity. Shepard glanced at Garrus and found him looking at her. The silence between the three was thick.
Once the shuttle arrived in the cargo hold, Shepard worked with the crew to stow the goods for transport. As she worked, she noticed Garrus and Thane speaking. Turning back to her work, she didn't notice Garrus approach until he cleared his throat.
"Uh, Shepard, you got a minute?" Shepard quickly glanced toward the door looking for Thane. Not finding him, she turned her gaze to Garrus.
"Of course. What's on your mind" Garrus motioned for her to follow him toward the door.
"I just thought I would let you know that I enjoyed working with Thane. He's a decent shot. Not as dashing or creative as I am but he's good. I think he'll work out." Shepard knew Garrus meant to say more.
"Now why don't you tell me what you're really thinking?" Shepard eyed Garrus. Uneasy, he cleared his throat and shifted under her gaze.
"Well, he's quiet, too quiet. He seems to be dealing with some heavy stuff. I don't know what it is but maybe you should talk to him." Garrus continued to looked uneasy.
"I'll see what I can do. Thanks Garrus." Shepard said with a nod. Sighing, Garrus looked as if he wanted to say more. Instead, he nodded.
"No problem." He then strode out of the cargo hold. Shepard frowned as she watched Garrus leave. She began to wonder why he was uneasy.
After finishing stowing the cargo, Shepard returned to her cabin to change. Finding no new missions or intel, Shepard donned her uniform and made her way to the mess hall. Noticing Garrus sitting at the table, she grabbed her food and joined him. Concerned, Shepard studied Garrus.
"Garrus, when you asked me to speak with Thane. You were uneasy. Something on your mind?" Shepard hoped he would tell her what was bothering him. Instead, Garrus chewed thoughtfully, appearing to stall.
"Well. It's nothing, Commander." Garrus set his utensils on his empty tray and began to stand. Shepard set her utensils down and placed her hands on the table.
"Garrus." Her tone demanding. Garrus glanced at her then sat back down.
"What is it?" Shepard's expression was serious. Unable to bear her gaze, Garrus shifted in his seat and glanced around the mess. Shepard waited patiently.
"Look Commander, I... what happened on Horizon. Well..." Stammering, Garrus tried to explain. Shepard watched him and tried to find the link between Horizon and Thane. Suddenly, an idea dawned on her. Shepard frowned.
"What does Thane have to do with Kaidan?" Surprised, Garrus stared at her. So that's it. Shepard folded her hands and waited.
"Shepard, I'm not one to tell you what to do or what not to do, just be careful. What happened on Horizon with Kaidan wasn't good. I don't want to see anyone hurt you." Garrus' explanation come out in a rush. Thinking over what Garrus said, Shepard breathed deeply before responding.
"You're worried that I will become involved with Thane and get my heart broken because he's dying." Garrus nodded. Shepard looked at her tray and wondered why Garrus thought she was interested in Thane. Leaning forward, Garrus stared into Shepard's eyes.
"I've seen you with him. The way he looks at you. He's a man and you're, well, you're you. I'm not saying, do this or do that. It's just when two people are attracted to each other, things happen." Garrus coughed then quickly turned away.
"What attraction? What are you talking about?" Shepard was taken aback by Garrus' explanation. Studying Shepard, Garrus looked away seemingly embarrassed.
"Maybe I'm overreacting. It's just... be careful." Garrus gathered his tray and utensils as he rose from the table. Shepard looked at him and nodded. As Garrus walked away, Shepard thought about what he said. She had never thought Garrus would be concerned about her becoming involved with anyone. He was with her on Horizon with when she and Kaidan spoke. He heard their conversation and saw Kaidan's anger. Garrus had to know that the any kind of relationship she had with Kaidan was over when she died. Confused, Shepard cleared her tray and returned to the Combat Information Center.
Standing at the Galaxy map, Shepard continued to think about her conversation with Garrus. Turning to the elevator, Shepard pressed the button for Engineering. Shepard found Tali working at a console near Daniels and Donnelly.
"Shepard, what can I do for you? Tali asked. Shepard waited for Tali to complete her task.
"Have you got time to talk." Tali glanced at her and nodded.
"Of course, Shepard." Tali motioned for Shepard to follow her toward the drive core. Shepard walked to the end of the walkway and leaned against the railing. Tali stood opposite studying her.
"What's wrong?" Shepard crossed her arms and looked at Tali.
"I just had a strange conversation with Garrus." Tali seemed surprised.
"What about?" Tali stood listening. Sighing, Shepard looked around the drive core trying to find a way to explain.
"He asked me to speak with Thane but he then cautioned me about having a relationship with him." Frowning, Shepard pursed her lips. The whole situation is confusing.
"Let me get this straight. Garrus wants you to help Thane but not have a relationship with him. Are you in a relationship with Thane?" Tali stepped away from the railing as she looked closely at Shepard.
"No. I've barely spoken with him. Garrus told me that when people are attracted to each other as we are, things happen. I told Garrus, Thane's dying, I had no intention of pursuing any romantic relationship with him. Besides the whole situation with Kaidan is... unfinished." Shepard looked at Tali, hoping she would have any ideas. Tali glanced down the walkway then back to Shepard.
"You know Shepard, when you died, Garrus emulated you. He lost you so he became you. I think it was his way of coping. Now that you're back, he's is trying to find himself. At the same time, he's trying to figure what you are to him." Tali twisted her hands as she fidgeted. "I think Garrus wants to be more than friends." Shepard stared at Tali as shock raced through her.
"How did you… what?" Shepard pushed herself away from the railing, her eyes wide. Tali sighed.
"Shepard, he had you, then he lost you. You saved his life, now he has you back. Would it be so surprising that in all of that, Garrus would develop feelings for you? You were closer to him than anyone. He would give his life for you." Leaning against the railing, Tali studied Shepard. Sighing, Shepard crossed her arms and thought about what Tali said. No, it wouldn't be surprising. It happened with Kaidan. Shepard had to admit to herself, Tali's explanation for Garrus' behavior made sense.
"I never thought of Garrus as anything more than a friend. I trust him. When Kelly and Kasumi said we would make a cute couple, I brushed it off. Now, I think I understand." Shaking her head, Shepard turned toward the drive core, a frown creasing her brow. Tali watched her.
"Why does it shock you Shepard?" Shepard studied the drive core hoping to find an answer. Instead the blue sheen of the mass effect field pulsed but gave no hint.
"When we were tracking Saren, he was so... serious. Then when Sovereign was dead, he wanted to go back to C-Sec. I was gone for two years, when I found him on Omega, he was so different. Even now, his need for revenge, his sarcasm. Sometimes I feel like I don't know him. Now this. I am just surprised." Shepard turned away from the drive core and began to pace. Reaching, Tali grabbed Shepard by the arm. Turning her, Tali hugged Shepard. Sighing, she thought about Garrus.
"Thanks." Nodding, Tali patted Shepard's arm before leaning against the railing.
"Give it time. I don't think Garrus knows what he wants and neither do you. What do you think of Thane?" Shepard rubbed her neck and glanced again at the drive core.
"I don't know but I know I'm not going to rush into anything with Garrus or Thane." Shepard looked at Tali. Nodding, Tali pushed herself away from the railing as she watched Shepard.
"That's reasonable. Besides, you still have Kaidan to figure out. Have you heard from him?" Shepard stretched then shrugged her shoulders.
"No. I don't know if I will." Tali softly nodded as Shepard tried to smile.
"I should go." Tali walked with Shepard back towards engineering.
"See you later." Shepard left as Tali returned to her console.