Kaidan sat in the Starboard Observation Deck, staring off into space. He was almost an hour into a good sulk, as well as halfway through Shepard's get well present. He reached for his glass, scowling at the liquid inside before taking a long swallow. Seriously, why did Shepard give him a bottle of whiskey if not to assure him she was still interested? "This sucks," he muttered to himself.

"Being turned down always does," Garrus said, walking in. "Though there are a few things that suck even more."

"Yeah, like what?" Kaidan muttered, glancing over. "A war that decides the fate of a galaxy?"

"Hm, that's pretty bad," Garrus said, taking a seat. "Being verbally assaulted by your ex when you're mourning the death of the man you love is up there, too."

Being... what? What the hell did Shepard say?" Kaidan asked, his inebriated mind skipping over a good half of what Garrus had said. "Is she pissed I asked her to pick up the tab when what was supposed to be a date turned into a big nothing?"

"Did you not hear what I just said?" Garrus replied. "The tab was nothing. What did I just tell you?" He looked over, predatory.

Kaidan jerked back in surprise, and a little fear, spilling his drink. He paused, forcing himself to think past the alcohol. "You said she's... mourning the death of the man she loves?" He cocked his head to the side. "That assassin she was seeing, he's dead?"

"Not just that, he swore to her to watch your sorry ass while you were in the hospital," Garrus said. "And he gave his life to save the salarian councilor... while he was terminally ill, I might add."

"Thane Krios, the man that saved Valern... I had no idea that was who she was involved with," Kaidan said, running a hand over his face as it finally clicked in his head that Shepard had been wearing black ever since the Cerberus coup. "He was going by a different name at the hospital, but we were in the same physical therapy class. He seemed like a good guy."

"He was," Garrus said, his expression still fixed. "And he never once doubted Shepard or made accusations about her. Never. He was there for her through it all, and he died doing your job."

"Yeah, okay. I'm an asshole," Kaidan muttered, heaving a sigh. "I get it."

"No, you clearly don't get it," Garrus returned. "And if we didn't need you on the team, I'd be busy breaking your face again."

"Jesus, Vakarian! What else can I say?" Kaidan exclaimed, turning away to look out the window again. "I screwed it all up. I doubted Shepard, practically called her a traitor, and then I kept right on doubting her. Hell, I eventually pulled a gun on her. The worst part may actually be that I know she wouldn't have shot me." He glanced over at Garrus. "You would have, though. Talk about people who always have her back."

"You're damn right I would have," Garrus said. "I'd have hated it, but I'd have done it." He finally leaned back, though his eyes were still trained on Kaidan. "I never want to see her cry again," he said, his voice softer. "I could seriously hate you for that."

At the revelation, Kaidan looked gut-punched. "Oh my god, I didn't..." Leaning his head back, he let out a short, humorless laugh. "At this point, I don't know if I should apologize or just leave her the hell alone."

"Let her sleep the wine off," Garrus said. "She's in her cabin. I plan on going by later with something to help her with the hangover."

"That's good of you," Kaidan said, looking at the turian thoughtfully. "Hey Garrus, can I ask you a question... well, another question, after this one?"

"Sure, go for it," Garrus replied.

"You love her, too, don't you?" Kaidan asked.

He didn't reply for a moment, just looked back at Kaidan, but he finally heaved a sigh. "That noticeable?"

Kaidan shrugged. "Nah, probably not to anyone else. I've just, well, known you both for a while, and sometimes I'm not an idiot."

"No, sometimes you're not." He let out another sigh and looked out over the stars. "That's why I couldn't understand why you'd be so thoughtless. Jealousy has no place in love. You love her, you make her happy, be happy for her, and when she needs a shoulder, you offer it with no strings attached. Everyone wants something from her. She should be allowed to take."

"Yeah, you're right about that," Kaidan replied thoughtfully. "Well, if anyone deserves a chance with her... later, after she's stopped wearing black, it's definitely you."

"I'm not going to press the issue," Garrus said. "Even if she's never ready, I'll have her back. That's enough for me."

"You're a good man, Garrus," Kaidan said. "From now on, though, I'll have her back, too. I know I'll never have another shot with her, and I sure as hell don't deserve one." He paused, contemplating his glass. "But I can show her the respect she deserves, and I can do my damnedest to keep her safe. I owe her a lot more than that, but maybe it's a start."

Finally, Garrus seemed to relax. "Definitely a start. She needs people she trusts not to put a bigger burden on her." He stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I should get back to work."

"Yeah, you have fun with those calibrations," Kaidan said, cracking a smile.

"Oh, you know me. Always calibrating," Garrus said with a snort, and he wandered out.