A day had passed since Commander Shepard's death. The news was already out to the entire crew. Some were mourning their leader's death, while others loathed the ones who they believed caused it… Garrus and Rowynn. But everybody knew what would need to happen next. The Normandy needed a new Commander. Somebody would have to be appointed. The only two people who had the right and experience to take Shepard's place were Thane… and Garrus. But of course nobody wanted either of them to gain control. After all, Thane is the one who shot Shepard, and Garrus was the whole reason the event had transpired in the first place.
The Normandy had docked back at the Citadel and its crew had gathered to place votes for either Garrus or Thane. Joker took charge of the voting. "All in favor of Garrus!" he shouted. Only Row's hand went up. I knew they were upset, but nobody voted for him? "All in favor of Thane!" shouted Joker. Every hand went up… "Then it's settled," said Joker, "Thane will gain control of the Normandy as our new Commander." Thane stepped forward to stand beside Joker. "I resign…" he said. Everybody in the crowds jaws dropped including Row and Garrus's. What?! Why would he? Angry shouts came from the crew. "Settle down everybody," said Thane, "I shall explain my reasons for resignation. You see, Shepard had gone mad, and I am the one who killed him. Not Garrus. If there is anybody to blame, it's me. Therefore I shall be leaving the Normandy and I am appointing Garrus as Commander." With that he just walked away leaving everybody standing about in utter disbelief.
"Ok…" said Joker, "I guess that means Garrus is in charge then." Garrus stepped forward. "I know many of you probably despise me for what happened. Maybe you should. But the fact of the matter is, we need a leader. We all know that I am capable of such a task, just as Thane would have been had he not chosen to leave." "What about that whore?!" shouted a crew member pointing at Rowynn, "she's the bitch who got Shepard killed! It's all her faul-" Garrus cut the man off, literally. He grabbed the man by the throat and ripped his head clean off! Everybody gasped in surprise and horror. "If I hear anybody talk about her like that ever again…" he snarled, "something worse will happen to you."
Everybody remained silent after that so Garrus continued with his speech. "Shepard was jealous of Rowynn. He was blinded by his lust for her and paid a terrible price. One I wish he never had to… But the thing is, Rowynn loves me." Rowynn turned red all over. Now everybody knows... great. "And I her. So if anybody messes with her…" he gave an intense stare at the crowd of people. He didn't look like he was threatening them. That statement seemed like more of a promise. He really does care about me. "I hope you don't ever have to see me this angry again," said Garrus, "now, everybody back to your posts."
The crowd dispersed and Rowynn turned to leave as well. "Row," said Garrus, "not you. Come with me." "But you said…" began Row. "I know what I said," interrupted Garrus, "but I want you to meet me in my quarters." "The Main Battery?" asked Row, "What for?" "No," said Garrus, "my room." His room? What did he need her there for? "Ok," said Rowynn, "I'll be there shortly." "I look forward to it," said Garrus as she turned and headed to the ship. He couldn't help but gaze at her as she left,her curves, her hips swaying as she walked. Why do I feel this way about her? She's a human, I'm a Turian... This is wrong, but every time I see her I can hardly control myself. "You coming big guy?" asked Joker who was the only one left outside besides Garrus. "Yeah…" said Garrus. They both boarded the ship.
Row waited patiently in Garrus's room. Her mind wandered to all sorts of devilish thoughts of what the Turian had in mind. Then Garrus entered. "Hi!" said Row, overjoyed to see him again. Even though they had just been talking about ten minutes ago she already missed his company. She jumped up and hugged him. "I can't believe you stood up for me like that. Nobody has ever done that for me before," she said. "Yeah, well I care about you," said Garrus, "and I didn't want to see you hurt again." Rowynn remembered how aggressively her love had come to her defense. "But… did you have to kill him?" asked Row as she shuddered at the image of the man's head being torn from his body so easily. "Probably not," admitted Garrus, "but I lost control, I was just so angry. Are you mad at me?" "No!" said Rowynn, "of course not!" "I'm relieved to hear that," said Garrus.
He hugged her. HE hugged ME! "Hey, Garrus…" said Row. "What is it" he replied. "Did you really mean it when you said you loved me?" she asked. "Honestly, I didn't know at the time," said Garrus as Row's face drooped, "but… I realize now that I do. I really do love you Row." She perked up again. "Then prove it," she said with a smirk. Ok, how?" asked Garrus. "Kiss me," said Row shyly. He leaned in slowly, still a bit unsure. Rowynn could feel his warm breath on her face. His manliness was intoxicating. Just being that close to him once again was overpowering. Then her lips felt his mandible brush against them.
It was a bit awkward, she'd never even kissed a human before. Yet here she was locking "lips" with a Turian, for the second time. If it weren't for the passion between them, Row would've feel very uncomfortable kissing him. The first time had been on impulse, but this time it was more… natural. It felt so good. Shivers crept up her spine as Garrus held her close. Finally after what seemed to last forever. They both curbed their lust and pulled away from each other. Row glanced at the clock. 11:23 p.m. Oh shit... I lost track of time. How long were we kissing?! It was like 10:30 when he got here! An hour?! "It's getting a bit late," she said, "I guess I should head back to my room now." "No," said Garrus lovingly, "stay with me." Were they going to go all the way? Rowynn began to feel a bit nervous. I've heard that sex for the first time is painful, and that was with humans. What would it be like with a Turian?
"Row?" asked Garrus. She looked over to him. He was lying on the bed. "Are you coming or not?" She walked over to the bed and hesitantly slid under the covers next to him. Garrus put his arm around her and she shivered again, feeling his touch. "Are you cold?" he asked. "A little bit," she lied. He pulled her a bit closer so that his muscular chest pressed against her back. "Is this better?" he asked tenderly. "Yeah…" said Row as she cuddled up against him feeling safe. "Goodnight Rowynn," he said, "I love you." He just wanted her to sleep with him. Row felt a wave a relief mixed with disappointment wash over her. "Night Garrus…" muttered Row as she drifted off to peaceful slumber, "I love you too."
Rowynn woke up sluggishly and started to get out of bed. She couldn't… Somebodies arm was around her! She prepared to lash out but she suddenly remembered what happened last night. She looked at her lover still soundly sleeping in the bed. He was even cuter when he was asleep. He actually drooled a little bit which was kind of gross, but cute at the same time. Maybe I should wake him up... Nah, best let him rest. I should go shopping. She went to the table and left a note. "Went to the Presidium Commons to shop. Be back soon. Love, Row." She grabbed her jacket from the couch and left.
Row bumped into Liara on her way out. Liara just gave her a dirty look and Rowynn was about to pass right by but then she stopped. "Hey," she said. "Hey…" said Liara with a hint of anger in her tone. Rowynn hadn't known Liara for long, but she could tell that Liara was upset. "What's wrong?" asked Row. "Nothing," said Liara. "If you want to talk about it I'm here," said Row. Liara ignored her and walked away. What was that about? Oh well I guess...
Rowynn got to the Presidium and started looking around for a good place to shop. "Armor… Weapons… Food…" she muttered to herself as she browsed. She saw a bookstore. Here we go. Maybe they have so books from the old age... She started picking up some books and opened them up to readbits and pieces of them. Boring... garbage... worthless... Hmm? She picked up another book. "Fifty Shades of Grey…" she read aloud. She opened up about halfway into the book and read a couple of sentences. What the hell? Why would somebody want to read this? It's all about sex. Couldn't they just do it themselves?
"Excuse me miss," said a woman from behind, "I'm looking for a good book. What would you recommend from your shop?" "My shop?" said Row confused, "oh… my uniform." She could tell that this woman wasn't from around these parts. Clearly she doesn't know what an Alliance uniform looks like. "Oh, I'm sorry," said the woman, "I thought you worked here." "No, but it's alright," said Row, "truth is I don't know, I've never shopped here before today either." "Well then I'm sorry for bothering you," said the woman as she picked up a book and looked it over. Rowynn decided to head back to the Normandy.
Rowynn was actually pretty far from where the ship was docked. Maybe I should cut through the apartments area. It'd be much faster. She turned left towards the apartments. After walking for about 5 minutes, she got to a more rundown section of the district. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea... She kept walking anyways and saw a man to her left staring at her. A Batarian. Those guys are always trouble. Row picked up her pace a bit. She glanced over her shoulder and saw two more Batarians, plus the one who had be staring at her. They're following me! Panic began to set in. Maybe I'm just being paranoid... She kept walking. Oof! She walked right into a Krogan.
"What have we here?" chuckled the large alien as he stood over Rowynn. "My, my aren't you a lovely one," it continued, "eh boys! I think I found us a new "playmate!" Row was aboutstrike him when common sense set in. I'd be wasting my energy. He's five times my size. Plus there's those damn Batarians... "Well come along my dear," said the Krogan, "we've fun to be had." The three Batarians laughed. Row's panic set in again and she fumbled with her communicator. "Garrus! Help!" she screamed into it. "Cut that out bitch!" sneered one of the Batarians as he smacked her hard. "Garrus… please… help. Apartments… slums," fumbled Row at her coms. "He said shut yer trap!" yelled the second Batarian. He smacked her as well, but harder than the other one. The Krogan picked her up and started carrying her into the alley nearby. "Garrus…" sobbed Rowynn to herself, "save me…"
Garrus's coms went off. He answered. "Garrus! Help!" It was Rowynn! "Garrus… please… help." Then somebody shouted and he heard a loud slap. "Aparatments… slums." Another slap. It cut off. "Shit…" muttered Garrus. He grabbed his pistol and ran out the door. Garrus sprinted through the Normandy. Joker saw him. "Hey Garrus! What's the hurry?" he asked. Garrus ignored the pilot and shoved him out of the way. He left the Normandy and headed for the apartments. It had been about 5 minutes since that message. I don't care who the fuck they are. If they touch another hair on her head... He saw the apartments and quickened his step.
The Krogan carried Row into a musky smelling alley. There was a cage with two dead women inside. An Asari and a human. "Fresh meat," said the Krogan to a fourth Batarian who was already in the alley, "she's a feisty one too!" "It's no fun if they don't squirm…" snickered the Batarian sadistically. They're going to rape me! Row kicked one of the Batarians hard in the jaw. "Oww! Damn bitch!" it whined. The Krogan grabbed her by the throat and pinned her to the wall. He didn't choke her but his grip was firm. He eyed her hungrily and ran his other hand up her leg to her waist.
A shot rang out and the Batarian Row had kicked fell with a hole through his head. The other three turned to face the threat, so did the Krogan and Rowynn. She saw a familiar face. "Garrus!" she yelled. Garrus didn't acknowledge her, but instead shot the other three Batarians with lethal precision. The Krogan tossed Row aside and she slammed hard into the bars of the cage. It charged Garrus. Garrus fired three shots right into the Krogan's chest, but it didn't slow him at all. It barreled into him and he flew back from the forceful impact, dropping his gun.
The Krogan closed the ground and tried to stomp on Garrus, but Garrus easily rolled to his feet as he dodged the clumsy attack. The Krogan threw a strong punch but Garrus ducked it and hit him with his own right in the side, cracking the Krogan's armor a little. The Krogan swung again and Garrus dodged, backing up cautiously. Then he tripped over a trashcan. Shit... He hit the ground and the Krogan was on him immediately, snatching his neck in both hands. "How does it feel Turian…" said the Krogan, "to know that you've lost. That you failed her and that I'm going to fuck her until she dies." Garrus started to black out. He fought the darkness off but knew he was fading fast. If I don't... then Row will be... The Krogan's head exploded. Garrus pushed it off of him. Row stood there clutching Garrus's pistol in her hand.
Garrus stood up as she dropped the pistol. Row sank to her knees sobbing uncontrollably. "They were… going to… if you hadn't… I would've… they… they…" Garrus picked her up and hugged her tightly. "Shh… it's alright," he soothed, "I'm here now, don't cry." She tried to stop but she couldn't. "If you… hadn't come," she sobbed, "I'd be like… those two… in the cage…" "But you aren't," whispered Garrus into her ear, "you're safe now." Rowynn began to get ahold of herself and her crying lessened. "You saved me," she said. Garrus didn't say another word. He simply kissed her lips and started to walk back to the Normandy with her still in his arms.
"You know you can put me down now," said Rowynn as she looked up at him. "Yes, but I don't want to," said Garrus without looking at her, "I want to hold onto you forever." Row smiled. With Garrus. Forever. I like the sound of that... She noticed the hand prints on Garrus's throat. Oh my god! How did that Krogan not crush his windpipe?! "Are you alright?" she asked worried. "What do you mean?" asked Garrus. "Your neck," said Row, "that looks like it hurts." "I'm alright," said Garrus, "don't worry about it."
They soon arrived at the Normandy. Joker saw them get on. "What happened?" he asked when he saw the bruises on her face. Row's eyes started to tear up again as she remembered what had nearly happened to her in that alley. "Street gang…" said Garrus. Then Joker saw the marks on Garrus's neck. "Jesus man, it looks like a Krogan tried to strangle you!" he exclaimed. "It did…" replied Garrus, "but I won." "Wow," said Joker, "I don't even think Shepard could've beat a Krogan with his bare hands." Garrus smirked. If he only knew it was Rowynn who killed it... He'd probably have a heart attack. Oh well. "I need to have Dr. Chakwas take a look at her," said Garrus. "Yeah, of course," said Joker, "make sure get yourself checked out as well." Garrus just nodded.
He carried Row to the Med Bay. "What happened?" asked Chakwas as they entered, "you look like you just fought off a pissed off Krogan…" "He did," said Rowynn. "You're not in much better shape yourself," said Chakwas to Row, then added, "here, set her down over there. I'll give her some Medi-Gel Garrus. The Dr. got to work on Rowynn's face right away applying some of the gel on her bruises as Row told her what happened. "Well, you're just lucky the Krogan didn't hit you," said Chakwas, "you'd have every bone in your face broken. That's if you're lucky. If not well…" she trailed off. Row understood what she meant. "Now it's your turn Mr. Vakarian," said Chakwas as she grabbed some more Medi-Gel. "Now for Rowynn I would recommend an hour of sleep," she said as she treated Garru's throat, "but for you, I'd say you should stay in bed for the rest of the day. Oh, and no solid foods! You'll just damage your throat worse."
Rowynn lie beside Garrus in his bed. He was asleep but she wasn't. She just lay there gazing at the man who she'd only known for a few days who had fallen in love with her, defended her, and even killed for her. I don't even think my parents love me THAT much... After staring at her lover for some time, she decided to listen to the Dr.'s advice and get some sleep as well. Row leaned in towards him, taking extra care not to touch his injured neck. She kissed his cheek, nuzzled her head into his chest, and began drifting off to sleep…
