The first kill was always the hardest. At least, that's what Arianna was told at an early age. When her father placed the gun in her hands with a grave expression, Shepard knew that at that moment, she was going to be a killer.

It wasn't until she met a young girl that the realization of what she had become washed over her. The thousands of lives she had ended. And for what? Because they annoyed her at the time? Because the threat of something bigger was more important than their "issues"?

The girl was no more than ten years old. The gun lay loose in her blood covered hand. Her body slashed and clothes torn apart. Raped and beaten. The poor girl shot herself.

Kneeling down next to the girl, Arianna put a shaking hand to the girl's forehead, gently brushing back the blood matted hair.

For the first time, Arianna choked back tears and vomit.

"Shepard.."

"Stop Garrus. I did this. I let this happen."

"That's ridiculous. You aren't her. You didn't pull that trigger. You didn't-."

Whirling to her feet angrily, Arianna shoved her hands out to push Garrus away from her. "THAT'S RIGHT! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! She risked her life for her family. Because of what? Because SHE believed in ME. And look what that fucking got her!"

Storming past a bewildered Vega and approaching Liara, Shepard clenched her hands into fists tightly. Her boots clanked loudly as she approached the shuttle, wanting to leave the colony as soon as possible. Just before she stepped in, a clawed hand reached for her arm, tugging her backwards into an armored chest.

She lashed out with a frustrated scream, but Garrus tightened his hold. His mandible fluttered against her cheek, a silent plea to calm her down.

"That girl died believing in you Shepard. But you weren't the one who killed her. Please."

Silence ensued. She could feel Liara and James staring from behind her. Questioning stares. Always questioning.

"Dammit Garrus."

"No. Stop Ari. I mean it. Please. Just for one minute, listen to me, Mate."

Her breath caught in her throat as Garrus gently nuzzled her neck. "You are a hero. An inspiration. It's not your fault that people disagree with you. No matter what you do, there are always going to be people like THIS. Terrible people who torture and murder for sick enjoyment."

"I do the same damn thing Garrus! The same fucking thing! I hurt people because it's FUNNY. I'm just like those people!"

A loud growl erupted in her ear, causing Arianna to flinch. Garrus swiftly turned her around in his arms, gripping her shoulders tightly. "NO SHEPARD! God dammit, listen to me! You are NOT like them. You are a loving and caring person. Those people aren't the ones that scrub off blood as soon as a mission is over. They aren't the ones who have nightmares about every, single, person that their hand has killed. And they aren't the ones not suppressing their emotions as their life slowly fades by each passing day."

She was silent after his rant. He shook gently as his grip on her loosened. They both seemed to exhale softly after that. His blue eyes searching hers. Like always, she betrayed nothing in her violet orbs. Finally, he looked away.

"I love you." His quiet revelation made Arianna stop breathing and stare intensely at the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, Garrus saw her turning around and walking into the shuttle, not before whispering back her love for him.

She was broken. Always would be. And he was the glue. Sometimes, it wouldn't keep all the pieces together like it should. But it did.