An Awfully Empty Galaxy

My first foray into the ME fandom, I hope I did well. :)

xXx

"No Shepard without Vakarian? Could've fooled me," Garrus took a swig of the dextro-alcohol, which was probably the only good thing that Tali had given him after he received the news.

Shepard was dead.

The turian was numb, but didn't show it. She made it clear that Garrus was to be the Normandy's CO should anything happen to her. However, she probably didn't foresee just how out of order that request was.

After all, how could she expect him to be strong for the crew, in the face of her death? She said it herself.

No Shepard without Vakarian.

The selfish woman probably didn't consider Garrus' side of it. He knew that Shepard would've wanted to die this way, destroying the Reapers in a blaze of glory, but she should have known better. Spirits, she told him to remember to duck!

And yet, there she went, sacrificing herself for the galaxy that probably didn't deserve it.

"Oh Shepard, love of my life," Garrus dragged his voice. "What have you done, you selfish, horrible, horrible girl?"

There was no answer. It was completely silent – save for the deep hum of the Normandy's engines. He looked up, and for a second, he saw her on the opposite chair, where she always sat. Her flaming red hair, emerald green eyes, and the freckles across her nose widening over a large, familiar grin full of adoration. He was too stunned to return it, and he reached out his hand, to touch her, to feel her.

And then when he blinked, she wasn't there. His arm remained outstretched, almost gripping the air. Her giggle hung in the air, but all he saw across him was an empty grey chair, with a N7 jacket dumped on the seat.

With a heavy feeling, Garrus stood up, and went to the elevator. He couldn't stand to be in this cabin anymore, the cabin where he heard her lilting, musical voice, stroked her beautiful red hair, and felt her warmth. He couldn't stand remembering her, and couldn't bear the aching feeling in his heart, how he longed her warmth in the midst of cold, lonely galaxy.

Garrus laughed, when he thought about it. At the time, it seemed a corny, romantic line, and he remembered her laughing about it as well, before embracing the turian and reassuring him softly.

Now though, it seemed all too real. It was awfully quiet, and cold. The once-gentle hum from the Normandy had become suffocating, and the deep, dark of space was simply what it is – dark and empty.

Garrus stole one last glance at Shepard's chair, which remained empty. He sighed deeply, and closed the elevator.

"No Shepard without Vakarian.. Ever anyone told you that there's no Vakarian without Shepard too, my dear Commander? I did say that it was an awfully empty galaxy without you… Come on, Shepard, listen to this voice, this sexy voice. Answer me. Please."

Again, there was only silence.

xXx

Hope you all enjoyed it.

Reviews are appreciated, and deeply listened to.