Garrus waited impatiently as Tali scanned the console. After reviewing the data on her omni tool, she turned it off with a nod. "Everything checks out Garrus. Looks like the batteries are ready." Garrus let out a deep breath. "Finally." Giggling, Tali stood watching Garrus as he lazily stretched. "You do realize if you let me help in the beginning, the process would have taken half the time?" Shrugging nonchalantly, Garrus rolled his neck. "Didn't want to start talk. You know how the scuttle butt is around here." Shaking her head Tali turned to leave. As the door opened, she glanced at Garrus. "Scuttle butt is that you and Shepard are an item." Garrus stopped and stared at Tali. "What?" Turning back to Garrus, Tali looked at him. Crossing her arms, Tali appeared unimpressed. "Don't act so surprised. After the talk you gave Shepard about Thane, it was only a matter of time before you two... you know."
Shifted nervously, Garrus shook his head. "Tali, it isn't like that." Sighing loudly, she stared at Garrus. "Uh huh." Exasperated, he groaned. Closing his eyes, he ran his hand over his fringe."Shepard is one of the few friends I have left. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it." Leaning toward Garrus, Tali uncrossed her arms and began to fidget. "Then what was your talk with Shepard about?" Shaking his head as he crossed the room, Garrus sat down on a crate in the corner. His head hung low, he appeared to be thinking. Moving to the railing, Tali waited patiently as she watched Garrus.
"I don't want Shepard hurt. When I see people trying to hurt her, most of the time I can shoot them but the last time it was Kaidan. He called her a traitor. I know what a traitor is and Shepard could never... The thought crossed my mind to shoot him but I let Shepard handle it. She was kind to him. She's always kind... she's firm, assertive, threatening when needed but... I didn't want Thane to hurt her. You were there when we found him. He's dying. I just... I wanted her to go in with her eyes wide open." Garrus sighed as he looked at Tali. Shaking her head, Tali glanced around the room before looking at Garrus. "When Shepard came to me and told me what you said, I assumed it was because you loved her and wanted a relationship." Garrus nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I do love Shepard but not that way. She's all I have. I don't want to lose her." Tali sighed as she approached Garrus. "Why did you emulate her?"
Rising from his seat, he returned to his console to stare at the batteries. "I wanted to do good. I wanted to help people, the way she did. All I did was screw up. I was betrayed and then when I was about to die, there she was. It's been hard talking to her. I'm happy she's alive but, I failed. Her having to save me was... Don't think I didn't appreciate her it's just..." Looking over his shoulder as Tali, his eyes betrayed his misery. "I am a failure." Tali crossed the short distance to take his hand. "You're not a failure. Things happen, things that we have no control over. It wasn't your fault." Squeezing Tali's hand, Garrus studied her. "If it wasn't my fault then whose was it? I was the one who chose Sidonis. I was the one who walked into a trap. It's my fault Tali. Shepard told me to stop beating myself up over it but it was my fault." Tali looked at Garrus. "Okay it was your fault but it doesn't change the fact that you're a good person. You help people. That's what I see in you and that's what Shepard see's too." Garrus chuckled. "That's me Archangel."
Frustrated with his sarcasm, Tali swung and hit Garrus on his shoulder. Acting wounded, Garrus staggered back. "I better go talk to Shepard. Don't want her getting the wrong ideas." Tali groaned. "You better. With friends like us, Shepard has to be the best. Look where we lead her." Garrus watched Tali leave then realized he needed to speak with Shepard. "Tali! Wait." Stopping, Tali looked back to Garrus. "I better talk to her, clear the air. I'll tell her we talked." Nodding in agreement, Tali waved at Garrus as she walked toward the elevator. Watching her go, Garrus wondered what he would say to Shepard.
Standing in front of Shepard's quarter's, Garrus took a few deep breathes to calm himself before pressing the button. A soft waft of cool air greeted him as he entered Shepard's private quarters. The room was huge. Two bright blue fish tanks took up one wall. Above her bed, Garrus could see windows framing the blue aura of the ship's mass effect field. Scanning the room, Garrus spotted her sitting at her desk, a data pad in her hand. "Garrus." Unsure of how to begin, he looked nervously around the room. "Something wrong?" Shepard frowned. "No, no. I just.. I need to talk to you." Hesitantly, Garrus approached Shepard. "What's on your mind?" Shepard motioned for him to sit. Nodding, he gently sat down on the couch, only to stand a second later. "Listen Shepard, I think there's been a misunderstanding."
Garrus began to pace the length of the room. Confused, Shepard watched him. "Everything okay?" Unable to meet her gaze, Garrus stood and stared at the fish tank. Concentrating on the swimming fish calmed him. "I spoke with Tali. It seems that the conversation I had with you about Thane, well, Tali assumed it meant I was interested in you. It's nothing like that. It's just.. it went wrong and I thought I needed to come talk to you, to get things cleared... " Shepard approached Garrus and grabbed his arm. Turning him she tried to look at him but he evaded her gaze. "Garrus, it's okay. I understand." From the corner of his eye, Garrus looked at Shepard. "You do?" Shepard smiled as she tried not to laugh. "Yes. I wanted to speak with you too. I know what Tali said and from what happened, it made sense. The only problem is, since then you haven't acted as if you were interested. I mean, you're the same. I began to think that maybe Tali and I were wrong. That it was something else." Garrus turned to face Shepard. "Look Shepard, your my friend. Your one of the few friends I have. I love you but I don't ... love you, in that way. Wait, that didn't come out right." Laughing, Shepard nodded. "No, I understand. I love you Garrus but I'm not in love with you. Your my friend and I hope we're friends for a very long time. I just... I don't see you that way. Not that you're not good looking for a turian, it's just that..." His mouth hanging open, Garrus stared at Shepard. "So... we're okay?" Shepard let out a giggle. "We're okay Garrus. Really, we're good." Nodding emphatically, Garrus agreed. "We're good. Good... good... I guess then that's it... Glad we talked, Shepard. I'll see you later." Garrus quickly turned and left.
Standing in front of the elevator, Garrus began to think about what just happened. Wait. I don't want her to think that I've been dodging her on purpose. Well I have but she needs to know why. Hell! Turning around, Garrus reentered her quarters. As he walked into the room, he could see Shepard waiting where he left her. Raising her right eyebrow, Shepard looked at Garrus. "I don't want you to think I'm dodging you on purpose. I am... it's just that I was embarrassed. I don't want you to think I'm a failure. You're important to me, I don't want to lose your friendship. I don't want to see anyone to hurt you either. Thane's dying and that would hurt you... Kaidan hurt you and I should have shot him but I didn't. I just don't want you getting hurt. I was trying to look out for you." Softly smiling, Shepard nodded. "Love you, buddy." Garrus hung his head and sheepishly looked at Shepard. "Love you, too." Feeling better, Garrus turned and left her quarters. Leaving the elevator, Garrus breathed deeply. Realizing he was hungry, he made his way to the mess hall.
