Hey guys! Welcome to the second half of The Guardian!

I have officially went through and done the polishing and fine edits to this story. I am sad that I'm actually done now, but I am writing a third part for this, for fans of Rayhel out there. I don't know when it'll be up yet though. Keep your eyes open. (:

I would like to thank ArchelionGen with all of his help, he gets FULL credit for beta reading through this story and the last one. You're amazing!

Please feel free to rate, review and even PM me if you have anything you'd like to say. Without further ado, here is the first chapter for the freshly edited part two of the Guardian. Enjoy!

"You have everything ready?"

"Yeah."

"Are you nervous?"

Garrus watched the turian next to him shrug as she cleaned her rifle.

"Yeah."

"Not very talkative today." She looked up at him, apprehension clearly written all over her face. He reached out, putting his hand on her shoulder. She relaxed slightly under his touch. "You'll be just fine."

"It's going to be rough, being away from a support system."

"That's the point of basic training."

She nodded at him in agreement.

"I can do it."

"I know you can."

"It's just waiting around to leave that's hard."

"Your mother feels the same way."

She smiled, her mandibles flaring out as she looked to the targets they'd been shooting at.

"I should go say goodbye to her. I have to be at the docks soon."

"Is your armor ready?"

"Yeah. It's in my room. I haven't put it on yet."

"Putting it off?"

She shrugged again, looking down at her rifle.

"I suppose."

"Come on. She'll be wondering where we are."

Natasha sat with her head resting on the palm of her hand, stroking Rayhel's head slowly, the silence in the room almost putting her to sleep while the events of the day kept her awake. Rayhel purred under the small blanket they'd been given for her. She stretched out on the couch, sleeping as if nothing was wrong as they waited. Natasha could feel Garrus shift behind her, leaning forward as he stared at Caeus, who sat across the waiting room.

"You ready to tell me what happened?"

Caeus looked at him, his eyes heavy as he fought off the exhaustion, his guilt tearing away at his mind every time he thought about what had happened. He shrugged at him.

"The mercs followed me back to headquarters." he said with a dry tone.

"Followed you? That's how this all happened?"

Caeus groaned, leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees, rubbing his face.

"I was undercover, for C-Sec. I had to infiltrate the Blue Suns by gathering Intel and…. I got an order from my boss."

"Your order was to lead them to my team for them to get slaughtered?" Garrus said harshly.

Natasha closed her eyes, more tears falling down her face. She stayed silent, thinking of the men they'd lost, biting her lip hard as she kept her sobs quiet.

"I was supposed to get you guys out of the way. C-Sec knew about Archangel and the team and they knew I was a contact of yours. They told me to slow you guys down."

"Congratulations, you succeeded."

"I went to headquarters to warn Calpurnia, I had to get her to safety."

"You failed there." Garrus growled.

Natasha covered her face, trying to block out their conversation. They'd managed to stay quiet for the past hour, she didn't see why they needed to talk now.

"It may be hard for you to believe but this is just as hard for me to sit here as it is for you!" Caeus snapped.

Garrus stood now, balling his hands into fists.

"You have no idea how hard it is for us to sit here and wait. Don't think for a second that because you've been sleeping with her that she means more to you than she does to us. You don't even know her."

"Whatever you say Garrus, you're the boss." Caeus said, sitting back in his chair in defeat, looking out the window. Natasha was grateful that more silence fell over them. She blocked out the thoughts of her friend, trying to get her tears under control before she returned to watching Rayhel, her hand stroking her fringe again. Garrus paced idly around the room. Natasha felt the other turian looking at her. She looked at him, her eyes burning harshly. "I'm sorry."

She bit down the tears after he spoke, taking a deep breath.

"I told you not to hurt her." she said, surprised at how hoarse her voice was.

"I tried to keep you guys safe."

"You shouldn't have had to keep us safe. You should have just let us be, this never would have happened."

Caeus shook his head, deciding not to tell them about Sidonis' plans to give them up. He didn't need to try making light of what his actions had caused.

"I care for her." he said finally.

"Pathetic." Natasha scoffed, looking back to Rayhel. "If we hadn't been gone, my daughter would be dead, and it would have been because of you."

Garrus looked at Caeus, who stared down to the floor in silence. There was something he wasn't telling them. He shook his head at the turian, folding his arms across his chest, the silence returning to the room again.

Natasha watched as the door opened, the tall turian girl stepping out of her room in her new armor. Natasha couldn't help but to smile at the sight, looking up at Garrus for his own reaction. Before he could speak, the turian raised her voice for him.

"Vakarian blue." she said, looking down at herself. "I wanted to have something to represent where I came from, since I don't have markings yet."

Garrus smiled at her as she stepped closer to them.

"It suits you well." he replied.

"I'm proud of you." Natasha said, bringing her into a hug.

"I hope you say that once I'm done." she laughed. "Assuming I make it."

"You'll make it." Garrus told her.

He wrapped his arms around her once Natasha let go. She hugged him tightly in return.

"I love you Dad."

"I love you too Rayhel."

"Call us as soon as you can, alright?" Natasha said as they let go of each other.

"I promise."

"I love you baby."

"I love you Mom." Natasha gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek before she took a deep breath, turning to the door. "Bye."

A nurse entered the small waiting room, letting out a heavy sigh as she looked around at them. Natasha stood now, biting her lip again.

"We got the bullet out, and she's in the recovery room. She's still unconscious, but you may go in and see her now."

Caeus watched the two of them sigh in relief from the news, his own relief spreading through him quickly. He held back the wave of emotion running through him.

"You go, I'll stay here with her." Garrus told Natasha.

"You sure?"

"Go." She gave him a quick kiss before following the nurse out of the room. Garrus sat down on the chair next to the couch that Rayhel slept soundly on. He looked at her for a moment before locking eyes with Caeus. "Tell me what you aren't telling Natasha."

"What?"

"You're a smart man, Caeus. There was a reason you kept it from us that you were undercover. Protecting us from a threat that wasn't given until today? I don't think so. What else were you protecting them from?"

Caeus sighed, hating the Garrus called him out on the matter. He just shook his head. Sidonis was dead now, and it didn't matter what he would have done. It wasn't worth Garrus being angry over.

"I don't know."

"Bullshit."

"Just stay angry with me, it's better that way. No one else needs to be dragged into it."

"Why would someone else be dragged into it?" Caeus cursed himself, putting a hand on his face. "Who were you protecting them from?"

"It doesn't matter, it's over now-"

"If you do not tell me what the hell you were doing, I swear to the spirits I will never allow you to be near Calpurnia again."

Caeus knew Garrus was serious. He wanted to protect the women from further harm. Caeus sighed heavily.

"Sidonis was going to give up the location of headquarters to Tarak."

Garrus lowered his brow plates to his eyes.

"What?"

"They had his bondmate, and he was going to do anything they asked him to to keep her safe. Understandable, but unacceptable. I told him to pretend, but to keep his mouth shut. I got her to safety and then I was ordered to get rid of you guys for C-Sec. I didn't say anything because I knew you'd kill Sidonis. The team didn't need that. You're a hero to the civilians on Omega, Garrus. People need you. If you would have killed Sidonis, people would doubt you. I needed to do my part to keep the peace."

Garrus sat back in his chair, running the story through his head thoroughly, doing his best to understand where the turian was coming from. Caeus watched him, half wondering what he thought and half not wanting to know. There was a long silence before Garrus said anything in return.

"Thank you."

"I'd do it again."

"What if it meant she'd die?"

Caeus shook his head, pushing the thought out of his head just as quickly as Garrus had put it there.

"I couldn't put Rayhel in danger."

Garrus tilted his head slightly.

"Don't tell me you did all this for her."

"She's an innocent child. I couldn't kill her without a conscience."

"Don't tell me you did it for her." Garrus repeated.

Caeus knew he'd done everything he could to keep the women safe, but it was Calpurnia that drove him to do it. There was no question about it. He sighed again.

"She means a lot to me." he said.

"Obviously."

"She said she loved me."

Garrus smiled ever so slightly.

"At least it wasn't all for nothing then."

"Get out, get out right now, let's go, move it!" Rayhel followed the other recruits out of the shuttle as their instructor yelled for them to hustle their feet. They made a line, all of them standing at attention as he walked down the line, taking in the sight of them. He stopped at Rayhel, snorting out a laugh. "You expecting this to be a sleep over?"

"No sir!"

"Not many girls come through here anymore, you have some guts coming here to be instructed by me. Do you think this is a pleasure cruise?"

"No sir!"

"What's your name, girl?"

"Vakarian sir."

"Well holy hell! I didn't know a princess would have the nerve to come here. Spectres' daughter, huh? The girl scouts is next door. Listen up, you are all the same now. The turian fleet does not care what gender or clan you are from! You are all equally worthless and undeserving of the title you work for. Some of you will not make it but let's make one thing clear right now, you are a squad. You will eat, sleep, shower and run together." He looked back to Rayhel after yelling out his orders. "Does that bother you girl?"

"No sir."

"You wanna make your parents proud, Vakarian?!"

"Yes sir!"

"You have no idea what you're in for, do you Vakarian?" Rayhel was unsure how to answer him. She knew what basic training was supposed to be like, though she was hesitant to say she knew how it would go. "You better learn to find a voice, Vakarian!"

"Yes sir!"

He walked down the rest of the line, stopping to give the same rant to another boy that stood there with them.

It was a hard first day, getting used to drills before being able to settle in their bunks for the night. Rayhel didn't mind being in barracks with men, it was part of military. It wouldn't be any different once she was assigned to a team. She sighed as she crawled into her bed, the lights shutting off for the night. She stared up at the ceiling for a long while, hearing more and more snores fill the room as people drifted off to sleep. It was a while before she was able to join them.

Natasha walked into the hospital room, taking in the sight of Calpurnia as she laid on the bed. She reached out and grabbed her hand, feeling her warmth. It made Natasha smile. The nurse stepped out of the room for a moment, letting her have some time alone with her friend. She squeezed her hand gently.

"I wish I was as strong as you, Cal." she whispered. "I'd be a goner for sure if it was me."

She laughed lightly, looking down at the sleeping turian. She felt tears in her eyes again.

"I was worried." she admitted. "We all were. You'll get better now though. I'll be here when you wake up, ok?"

Natasha put her hand on Calpurnia's head gently, kissing her forehead.

"I love you." she said. "Get some rest."

She let go of her friend's hand reluctantly, backing herself up to the door before she made herself turn away. The nurse gave her a small smile when she left the room.

"Would you like me to contact you when she wakes up?"

"Yes please."

Natasha walked back to the waiting room. Garrus stood at the sight of her, pulling her into a hug when she walked up to him.

"How is she?"

"She's sleeping, she looks just like normal."

Caeus was even more relieved to know that she was stable. Garrus looked over at him, nodding.

"Go see her." he said.

Caeus didn't argue. He just nodded back at him, walking to the door in silence. Natasha knit her eyebrows at Garrus, letting go of him.

"He has no right." she said.

Garrus just gave her a small smile, knowing she'd be protective until he told her what really happened. He made her sit down, holding her hands and taking a deep breath before he told her the real story.

Rayhel sat at the table in the mess hall, her head lowered as she ate her food in silence. It'd been a few weeks since she'd arrived at the base. She was growing accustomed to the military life they were training the recruits for. She was the only girl on her squad, which wasn't easy to deal with at first, but she grew used to it. Everyone in her age group didn't seem to mind. She wasn't much interested in the boys. All of them were just as young and stupid as she was, she didn't even try to make friends with them. They worked as a team in the drills and on the training courses, but otherwise, she kept herself secluded. Her drill instructor made sure to correct it anytime he saw it, which was why her stomach dropped when he walked into the mess hall. She closed her eyes, praying to the spirits that he'd leave her be for this time, but she wasn't so lucky.

"Vakarian!"

She stood, saluting him.

"Sir."

"What the hell are you doing all the way over here? Your squad is over there!" he pointed at the boys who were now watching as she was scolded.

"I'm sorry sir!"

"I don't have time for your shit apologies, get your ass over there!"

"Yes sir!"

She picked up her tray of food quickly, walking over to the boys who made room for her. She hated that she had to act friendly to people she didn't know, but this was why she joined the military. She had to do this. She silently blamed her aunt for having such a negative social influence on her. Once the instructor left, the boy next to her nudged her arm. She glanced at him, before focusing on her food once more.

"You scared of us?" he joked.

"Hardly." she scoffed.

"What do you expect from her?" the boy across from her laughed. "She's a spectre's daughter, of course she hates everyone else."

"Fuck off, you don't know anything about me."

The boy laughed, shaking his head as he shoveled more food into his mouth.

"I rest my case. Just know the military works just as hard as your dad."

"None of you will ever live up to what my dad is."

"Which one?" he scoffed.

There was only a fraction of a second that allowed Rayhel to consider taking a deep breath and brushing off the comment, but the rest of the second left her to convince herself that knocking the boy out was a better idea. As soon as she stood and lunged her fist across the table to hit his face, the drill instructors blew their whistles and rushed to break up the fight. By the time they got to them, Rayhel had the boy pinned on the floor with one hand, her other hand a firm fist, hitting him as hard as she could.

She was brought to her feet, and so was the boy, the instructors each yelling at them separately.

"Vakarian, what the hell are you doing to my mess hall?!"

Rayhel stiffened as she stood at attention, taking a few deep breaths before mustering her courage to speak.

"Nothing sir!"

"Vakarian, what do you think would happen if you and him got into it on a battlefield? Do you think the enemy will not fuck you up because you two have a pointless feud? Or maybe you don't care about this because you think you're so damn special. Spectres child, doesn't have to listen to shit."

"No sir!"

"If I catch anything like this again I will personally lodge my foot in your ass and kick it out of this squad. What would daddy think then?!" Rayhel was silent, knowing no matter what she said, it'd be wrong. Silence was just as wrong, but she didn't say a word. He stared at her, waiting for a response before turning to the rest of the squad who watched. "Everyone outside. Time to P.T., courtesy of Vakarian. Let's move!"

Rayhel didn't regret her actions after realizing the whole squad would be punished for it. The fire was still ignited in her stomach though she knew she had to calm down. She kept her distance from the boy until the drill instructor forced them to work side-by-side. It was a long process, but it served it's purpose to teach her to keep her hands to herself for the rest of the time she was there.

Caeus stared at Calpurnia as she slept, running the memories of her getting gunned down through his head. He got more and more upset each time he remembered what she looked like when she got hit. The sight of her sinking down to her knees on the floor, coughing up her own blood from the damage of the gunshot. He winced, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. In the moment he spent with his eyes off of her, she'd started waking up. He watched her anxiously as she stirred, her eyes blinking open groggily. She groaned as she looked around, her eyes finding him finally. He stood still, staring down at her. His heart quickened when she gave him a weak smile.

"Hey you."

He moved closer to her as she reached out a hand for him. He took it gingerly.

"Hi."

"How long was I out?"

"You were in surgery for about an hour. I've been here for fifteen minutes or so."

"Where's Natasha?"

"She's sleeping. She came to see you after you were out of surgery, but you were asleep."

"Is Rayhel here?"

"Garrus too."

Calpurnia seemed to relax slightly, giving him a soft look.

"Did you get fired?"

Caeus laughed.

"Not yet."

"Are they…. All?"

"Yeah. They're gone."

She sighed, shaking her head.

"Damn mercs." she said.

"I'm sorry." he told her. "I really am."

She shook her head again.

"This isn't your fault… You kept us safe."

"I never wanted you to get hurt."

"I'm alright."

He bit down his guilt, trying desperately to just enjoy the fact that she was alive. He couldn't help but run the events through his head, as if scolding himself would help anything. He just stared at her as she smiled at him, obviously happy that he was there. He put a hand on her face, doing his best to return the smile.

"I was worried."

"I'm fine."

He sighed, shaking his head slightly.

"Let's avoid this in the future."

"Deal." she replied, her hand idly running over the blankets that covered her abdomen. "It hurts, getting shot."

Caeus couldn't help but laugh at the woman. She smiled back at him as they both enjoyed being able to see each other. Caeus waited for a few more minutes before he decided it was appropriate to call Natasha and Garrus into the room to speak with Calpurnia. Garrus came in to say hi for a few moments, but he left Natasha to sleep with Rayhel in the waiting room. When he was done visiting, Caeus settled down in the chair next to Calpurnia.

"You can sleep in the waiting room if it's more comfortable." she offered.

He leaned back in the chair, finding a comfortable spot before letting out an exhausted breath.

"I'm comfortable right here."

"I present to you the graduated recruits of the turian military's basic training."

Natasha smiled widely, looking at the line of turians that stood, saluting their instructor. He went down the line, presenting all of them with pins. He stopped at Rayhel, pinning the pin to her blue shirt.

"Rayhel Vakarian." he said, looking at her sternly.

Garrus smiled as Natasha clapped with the rest of the crowd that had gathered for the graduation. He saw her tears of pride fall down her cheeks, which she didn't care to wipe away. He watched their daughter accept the pin before the instructor continued down the line. He felt his own pride rising in his chest at the sight of her among the other soldiers.

After the ceremony was finished, Rayhel eagerly found her parents, running to hug Garrus tightly.

"I missed you guys so much!" she said into his shoulder.

"We missed you too." Natasha replied as Rayhel moved to hug her now.

"I'm proud of you." Garrus said.

Rayhel smiled at him, obviously touched that he'd say so. Natasha smiled at the silent exchange of respect between the two.

"We're going to have a dinner outing tonight." she said, getting Rayhel's attention again.

"Where?"

"Wherever you want to go. Your aunt and uncle are quite excited to see you."

Rayhel smiled happily.

"I can't wait to see them."

"She's been going crazy for the past three days straight. She wanted to throw you a huge party with some drinks and everything. I told her no."

"Way to keep her under control." Rayhel laughed.

It was a while before Caeus was able to fall asleep, despite his exhaustion from the day. He held Calpurnia's hand as she rested in the hospital bed. He tried taking comfort in the fact that she was alive and well, but he kept reminding himself that it was his actions that led her here. He told himself he'd have to quit his job. He had to take care of her until she was healthy enough on her own again. He silently swore to himself that he wouldn't leave her side unless she wanted him to. His mind wandered to thoughts of what Garrus would do now that their base had been found. After thinking it over for a while, his eyes started falling shut. He stopped thinking of it for the night, settling on one final thought before he let sleep overcome him.

Whatever Garrus needed to do next, Caeus would be right there to help. He owed them that much. He owed Calpurnia that much.