Just One Drink

"It's been a long time since we've seen you, Garrus. How've you been?" Solana asked that night at the dinner table.

Garrus shrugged. "The usual. Fighting bad guys, hating what the war did, righting wrongs…" He replied dully. Garrus could feel his little sister's gaze burning though him. It made him uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat and looked up at Solana. "Can I help you?" He asked a little annoyed.

Solana shook her head. "Nothing… Just a little concerned." She said tilting her head and looking at him sympathetically.

Garrus growled in annoyance. "Don't be. I'm fine." He insisted. Garrus heard his father grunt disbelievingly. Garrus looked at him. "What?"

The senior Vakarian shook his head. "I just worry about you Garrus." Garrus opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by his again. "And don't say that you're fine. I know you're not."

Garrus sighed and stared at his meal, which he'd barely touched. Finally he couldn't take the palpable tension, so he got up, put his plate in the sink and went to his room.

When he was in his room, he stripped himself of his armor and collapsed on his bed. He rolled on his back and stared at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine Shepard again. But her human features were replaced by Vacanah's avian features. Her eyes were just as beautiful. Her voice was just was calming. He could still feel her small hand on his arm.

But the peaceful moment was ruined when there was a loud explosion, and Vacanah's face disappeared behind a wall of fire.

"No!" Garrus yelled. He opened his eyes and sat strait up, panting. Sweat dripped down his forehead and drenched his shoulders. Garrus shook his head and sat on the edge of his bed. Then, there was a knock at the door.

"Garrus? Garrus!" It was his father. "Garrus, are you okay?"

Garrus took a few more breathes before replying. "Yeah, I'm fine." But he really wasn't. He got to his feet and put his armor back on.

That morning, Garrus took a walk around Palaven. He admired and memorized the beauty of his home world, the trees, the grass, and the bright, clear blue skies.

Garrus' moment was brightened when he spotted Vacanah from afar. He began to walk towards her, but stopped.

What am I doing?! I've gotta come up with something to say to her! Garrus' conscience told him. Hey, Vacanah, looking good. Gah! No, too corny… Hey, Vacanah…. Damn! I'm out of lines… Garrus searched his head for lines to say to Vacanah. He was so busy thinking, that he didn't realize she'd walked up to him.

"Hey, Garrus." She said. Garrus screamed and fell down, then quickly got to his feet.

"V- Vacanah!" His voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "Hey. How's it going?" He used his "cool" voice.

Vacanah shrugged. "Good. How about you?" She asked.

Garrus chuckled and crossed his arms. "Oh, well, you know." He leaned to one side, expecting to lean against a tree, but all that was there was empty space. He gasped as he fell to the ground again. He heard Vacanah giggle and soon saw her emerald-green eyes in front of him as she knelt down.

"You okay?" She asked sweetly. Garrus nodded slowly, feeling his throat tighten up. Vacanah grabbed his arms and lifted him up. "Are you all right? You seem uptight." She asked, tilting her head.

Garrus shrugged, not being able to speak. Vacanah didn't look convinced. She moved closer and hugged him.

Her sweet scent made Garrus' throat loosen up and his heart flutter. He had to swallow to suppress a ragged groan. Garrus quickly pulled away and gazed into her eyes. They were beautiful, magnificent green pools of wonder. He could get lost in them forever!

"Vacanah I-"His heart shattered as he remembered he had felt this way when he was with Shepard.

Vacanah stared at him, her green eyes wide. "Yes?"

Come on! You've fought reapers and you can't even ask a girl out?!

"Do you want to go get a drink?" He asked finally. Vacanah's eyes softened and she placed a hand on his face.

"Alright, but just one drink." She said.

Garrus chuckled. "Just one drink." He repeated.