The first time they say goodbye, it's with smiles and mandibles pulled tight by duty.
'You sure you don't want to come with me?' she asks one last time, both of them hoping this time will be the one to change his mind, even while both of them know it won't. He rolls his eyes – out of exasperation, he tells himself, and not to keep her from seeing the longing in them. Because there is no longing. Because, even if there were, there's definitely no reason to it - no logic that could excuse the tugging that begs him to follow after this human he barely knows to ends of the galaxy and back.
So instead all he does is say, 'Chellick would have my hide.' Then he flicks his mandibles and adds, 'Besides, I want to give this another go. See if I can do things right this time.'
She smiles at that, and the confidence in her eyes when she says, 'You'll be detective of the month in no time.' makes him almost believe it himself. She sticks out her hand then, and he follows her lead. 'Give em hell, Vakarian.' she says as they shake hands for the last time.
'You too, Commander.' he answers, and then she's gone.
The second time they say goodbye, it's with cheeks and fringe cold with dread.
'You sure you don't want me to come with you?' he asks one last time, both of them hoping this time the answer won't shove reality between them, even while both of them know it will. She shakes her head – as a reply, she tells herself, and not to keep him from seeing the worry in her eyes. Because there is worry. Because, even if there wasn't, there's definitely reason for it – for the fear that convinces her that parting is the only way to somehow save both the galaxy and him.
So instead all she does is say, 'Hackett would have my ass.' Then she smiles and adds, 'Besides, they'll need you on Palaven. Someone needs to set things right.'
He laughs at that, and the doubt in his voice when he says, 'I'll have the fleet mobilized in a month.' makes her believe in him all the more. He reaches his hand out then, and she follows his lead. 'Give em hell, Shepard.' he says as they hold hands for the last time.
'You too, Garrus.' she answers, and then he's gone.
The last time they say goodbye, it's with skin and hide bloody with denial.
'I'm coming with you.' he says one more time, both of them hoping this time won't be the last, even while both of them know it is. They stare at each other's face – like always, they tell themselves, and not because it's their last chance. Because it is their last chance. Because, no matter what, this is it – the moment that tells them this is the end of either the galaxy or them.
So instead all she does is say, 'No matter what happens here, you know I love you.' Then she takes a step closer and adds, 'And I always will.'
He breaks at that, and the defiance in his words when he says, 'I love you too.' makes them both believe in each other against it all. They reach out their hands then, following each other's leads. There are no more words as they touch for the last time.
And then she's gone.