Shepard and Garrus held their embrace for a while but reluctantly parted as two armed guards and the doctor from Shepard's room. "There a problem here officers?" Garrus asked politely. Charming as ever. Some people never change, but change isn't always for the good. Garrus still had his arm around her waist as the doctor explained. "The thing is, you realise that the Commander outranks you all? So I think this problem might just be a, mistake would you say?" Garrus have them a steely glare which sent them on their way. He faced Shepard and smirked. "I think that problems sorted." She took his hand and started to walk. "Why yes, I think it is." It had been far too long since she had heard the casual humour from Garrus' voice, and the way he defended her. Too long since she had been in his warm embrace. The longing to grip him once more, had been so immense, so...passionate. This what love must feel like. "Garrus?" He looked at her with his soft eyes. "Yeah?" This place was unknown to Shepard, different. It didn't feel comfortable, only harsh and judgemental. "Where are we?" She asked with question in her eyes. He chuckled. That Garrus chuckle, tickled her heart. "Well, you'll find out soon enough."
"Don't peek! That'll spoil the surprise!" Garrus held his hand over Shepard's eyes. They were comforting. "Ugh, alright. I hate surprises!" Her senses tingled with recognition, as if the 'surprise' was giving off an aura. "Can I look now?" Garrus smiled, and took away his hand, waiting intently for her reaction. "Garrus..." She was speechless, no words could express how she felt at that very moment. Her jaw had dropped open and her mouth formed an 'O'. Garrus pushed her mouth shut gently. "You don't have to say anything baby. It's the least we could do after you saved out asses from the reapers." Shepard looked from in front of her to Garrus and grinned like an idiot. She squealed with delight as she flung her arms around his neck, burying her face into him. A muffled sound came from her mouth but Garrus couldn't understand. He felt his hand stroke her back and she felt joy shed never felt before. Standing before et was the best gift she could possibly ask for. A sleek, shining, silver ship. The word 'Normandy' printed in royal blue . The doors slid open, and on the other side stood the cheeky flight pilot, Joker. "Oh hey Commander, decided to join us again?" Shepard gave him a sarcastic smile. She'd missed the Normandy. It was like family to her, and so were the crew. Joker was like a little brother, always cheeky. A gasp escaped her mouth and she was slowly drawn towards the ship, like a magnet. "The old ship was damaged, we repaired it, but it wasn't the same you know? Like...it was different." It was like heaven for Shepard. The Normandy, it was so good to see her again. "Shepard, I detect high concentration of excitement, could the Normandy perhaps be the cause?" Shepard laughed with her, and they finally strolled in, like Shepard had been waiting for.
The new Normandy was everything Shepard hoped for, from its streamlined body, to its purring engine. Her heart jumped a beat. It was beautiful, it was just a ship, but she couldn't help the bond she felt with it. "I can't thank you all enough! You don't know how grateful I am." Joker wryly grinned. "I'm sure we'll find something you can do to pay us off..." Shepard looked at him icily. "I'm not even gonna go there." He laughed loudly, even Garrus cracked a smile. "Well, not such a bad idea?" He whispered in her ear. She put a finger to his mouth. "Don't tell Joker. Just don't." He made a zip motion across his mouth. "Not a word."
They toured the Normandy, the Crew Deck, CIC, Engineering, Shuttle Bay, and finally the Captain's cabin. The layout was similar but there were improvements. The bed was still just as hard though. "Wow. It's like it never changed." She gazed around. "My fish!" A tank filled with various tropical, and alien fish, ran the length of her room. "We thought we should add it in, you seemed to grow close to them." Garrus chuckled. "As long as they don't take my place." She smirked. "Never..."