Notes: So, I started writing a few loosely connected ficlets involving Garrus and Kaidan, and then a few turned into even more, and they started to form a cohesive whole. So I figured 'whatever, why not' and I tidied them up a little, and here they are.

They are all part of a larger thing, but I haven't written any of that larger thing yet. Also please keep in mind that these were all written really quickly in a row and I'd never really written Kaidan or Garrus before. I think I handled them well enough, but I'll leave that up to you.

Obligatory bullshit: I don't own any of these characters or Mass Effect. Bioware does. The story title is a line from 3 Doors Down's 'It's Not My Time,' as is the chapter title.

They were back aboard the Normandy for maybe five minutes, Horizon still disappearing behind them, when Garrus sent the message, hoping that Kaidan's contact information was still the same and that he wasn't just sending his demand off into empty space.


To: Alenko, Kaidan
From: Vakarian, Garrus
This is a note from your friendly neighborhood vigilante asking: What the HELL kind of stunt was that supposed to be? Were we all just imagining how close the two of you were on the SR-1, or did you just decide it was a good idea to throw that affection back in his face? Honestly, HE is the traitor here?

Garrus didn't even have time to start pacing across the main battery before his omni-tool beeped. Considering the speed, he half-expected nothing more than a standardized 'your message could not go through' alert, but he was semi-pleasantly surprised when that was not what he got.

Reply From: Alenko, Kaidan
We've been hearing rumors about him for weeks, but it took running into him on accident for him to tell me he's not dead. And don't act like he hasn't had any chances to tell me; I heard about his meeting with Anderson. So if anyone's forgotten how close we used to be, it wasn't me.

Garrus paused, some of the wind taken out of his sails, one hand hovering over his omni-tool as he thought. In retrospect, it hadn't been handled particularly well. 'It's been too long, Kaidan,' like they were meeting for lunch. He was aware that his reply looked more than a bit pouty.

Reply To: Alenko, Kaidan
It was still uncalled for.

Reply From: Alenko, Kaidan
Maybe. But I've been under a tiny bit of stress. Combined with the failure to even send me a "Hi, I'm not dead" and the affiliation with a known terrorist organization, yes, I'm a little annoyed.

Okay, that was a valid point. Garrus sighed and tapped his free hand against the main console. Before he could type in a reply, another message showed up.

Reply From: Alenko, Kaidan
He cared enough to track you down, but he couldn't even be bothered to tell me I could stop grieving. Saying it feels like I've been slapped in the face doesn't do it justice. But if it makes you feel any better, I don't hate him. I would just like to punch his face. Possibly with my brain.

Garrus smothered a snort of laughter despite himself. His amusement was short-lived, though, as he thought back. 'Archangel?' Shepard had said, and he had been so enthusiastic to find out that Archangel and Garrus were one and the same. To find out. Garrus breathed out a slow sigh and keyed in a brief command on his omni-tool. There were a few pinging noises, but the call was answered quickly.

"Garrus?" Kaidan's voice was tinny and startled.

"He wasn't actually looking for me, Kaidan," Garrus said with little preamble. "Pretty sure I only just realized that." He huffed out a laugh. "I just happened to be the vigilante he was tailing. Me, Tali, Liara. He found us all by accident."

There was a quiet burst of static from a commiserating chuckle. "Sorry, Garrus," Kaidan offered, in the amused tones of a man who would meltdown if he didn't laugh at the situation instead. "He'll figure it out eventually."

"You're sure about that?" Garrus wondered dubiously, leaning back against his terminal.

"Well, I can hope," came the dry response.

"Heh. There's always that," Garrus acknowledged. "Take care of yourself, alright? The galaxy's a messy place right now."

"You too, Garrus."

The called ended with another ping.

Not long after, armor shucked and tension as good as forgotten, Shepard peered into the main battery. "Hey Garrus. You got a minute?"

Garrus paused, contemplating the terminal in front of him as if it held all the answers in the universe. He turned enough to look at Shepard over his shoulder.

"Can it wait for a bit? I'm in the middle of some calibrations."