AN: Can you tell I'm excited about this chapter? Probably, considering it's only been two days since the last one was posted. Today's chapter focuses less on hating (sort of...;)) and more on friendship (yay! :D)!

Chapter Three: Bro Code

Shepard was in a great mood as she entered the Eternity bar. She'd just recruited the Justicar and she'd discovered a perfect squad combination in the process. While her biotics were certainly strong enough to hold their own, it was extremely helpful to have Thane's warp available along with Garrus's overloading skills to deplete those pesky enemy shields. Combat tactics aside, Karina was more impressed with their ability to keep her spirits up. It was certainly an improvement from when she was forced to pal around with Little Miss Perfect Princess and Sassy McPrejudice-Pants—err, Miranda and Jacob. Karina shook her head at her rudeness and tried to remind herself that at least Miranda had become a little nicer lately.

Even if she'd started to warm up to the Cerberus agents, she knew that her new squad was perfect. The former C-Sec agent always seemed to have a humorous observation, and the assassin's occasional snarky comments just made them all the funnier. It was interesting to see Thane drop his stoic appearance and crack a wise one, occasionally at the commander's expense.

At the moment, her companions were following their commander, silently wondering why she was humming and eying a kiosk that was lined with waiting drinks.

"I take it you made some plans for this evening, commander?" the turian finally asked as Shepard came to a stop.

Karina grinned at them sheepishly. "The service here is nice and I wasn't planning on heading out 'til tomorrow anyway. I figured between finding Justicars, long lost sisters, and saving the galaxy we've earned a few drinks. C'mon, they're on me."

The two teammates looked at each other briefly before Garrus answered with a shrug. "Ah, what the hell—I'm not gonna turn down free drinks."

"Attaboy, Garr," Karina laughed, patting him on the back as they settled down at a table.

About an hour later Shepard was holding her sides, though for once it was not from receiving a few slugs in battle, but from laughter.

"It's a serious question!" Garrus insisted, struggling to be heard over the commander's guffaws and Thane's rumbling chuckles. "Have you seen Miranda? I don't care how screwed up you are, no father would genetically enhance their daughter with those things!"

Karina managed to gasp out a reply between her laughter. "But then the real question is whether Cerberus put them there or if she requested the procedure. I wouldn't put it past her."

"Maybe the Illusive Man just wanted something to look at," Garrus snickered. "I bet those cybernetic eyes of his come in handy with her. A few mods, and bam, you've got x-ray vision." He emphasized the word "bam" by hitting his chest and Shepard nearly spit out her drink with more laughter.

"I must admit I am curious as to how she fights efficiently with such… appendages." Thane observed, sipping his drink.

"It's a real concern," Karina agreed as she gulped down more liquor. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. "Hey, wait a minute… When I first woke up on that Cerberus station…combat was really challenging at first. Especially running. And the other day I was getting fitted for new civvies and…and they didn't fit in certain places." Her face blanched as she blurted out her realization. "That bitch inflated my tits!"

The table exploded in fits of laughter, drawing quite a few glances from neighboring patrons. Shepard laughed along with them, despite her initial embarrassment at discovering her more recent developments. She sighed happily as their laughter gradually died down. Sometimes it was nice to pretend that the Collectors weren't an immediate threat, to just enjoy a few drinks with your friends before—suddenly a sharp sensation in her bladder reminded her exactly how many drink she'd had.

"I'll be right back, boys," Karina announced as she stood slowly. "I haven't had a drink in a long time, so I'm afraid liquor goes right through me."

"Of course," Garrus chuckled. "How else do you think I was able to get away with having that entire conversation?"

"Curse my double metabolism," Karina muttered sarcastically.

"Ah, that's right. Those biotics of yours help everything go down faster, eh Blue?"

"Blue?" Thane inquired, glancing at Shepard, who had on another embarrassed smile.

"It's Garrus's idea of a clever nickname," she explained, rolling her eyes.

"Our commander had a bit of a shady past," Garrus continued for her. "Ran with a gang, the Reds. Nothing too extreme; I'm surprised she lost her alcohol tolerance though. But she's still got a bit of their mouth."

Shepard muttered something under her breath before realizing that she wasn't exactly helping her case.

"Anyway, then she put on the Alliance blues and she straightened up. And there's her biotics too."

"If we're done discussing my silly nicknames, I have enough piss in me to fill the Presidium lakes," she tossed over her shoulder as she walked away.

As Garrus chomped on another nut from the little red bowl in front of him he noticed Thane's eyes seemed to be rather preoccupied. He followed his gaze and was not surprised to find that they were focused on the commander's ass. The alcohol must have loosed him up as well. "Careful, Thane. Stare any harder and you'll turn her ass red again."

Thane opened his mouth to retort before quickly shutting it. Surprised at this frank admission of his guilt, the turian leaned forward, mandibles clicking conspiratorially. "So? Any intentions there, Thane?"

Thane blinked a few times, his face unreadable even to a former cop. Finally he answered slowly. "I… apologize. I didn't mean to offend."

"Offend?"

"Perhaps I misread your relationship with Shepard," the drell explained, idly running his finger along the rim of his glass. "I have no desire to cause trouble."

"What the hell are you talking abou—?" His mandibles twitched with confusion before it dawned on him and his head began to shake furiously. "Oh. Ohhh. Oh, no. No way. Don't get me wrong; she's great—hell of fighter, generally pleasant, but… She's ah, not my type, really."

When Thane didn't respond, Garrus glanced around before continuing, "But between you and me… I don't think she'd mind if you, ah, 'investigated her enhancements' more thoroughly, if you know what I mean."

The drell perked up, a smile twitching at his lips. "Really now?"

Garrus chuckled. Oh this guy has it bad. "Definitely. See, Shepard plays this game with someone she likes. It's called the stairs game." He stopped to take another drink and noted smugly that Thane was hanging on his every word. "Ever notice that she always sends you down the stairs first?"

Thane paused, his eyes flashing in a way that told Garrus that he was reliving a memory, probably a recent battle. "Yes. But I had assumed that was a tactical decision. I snipe out the more formidable enemies before the rest of the squad barges in."

The turian shook his head. "Let's just say she was doing exactly what you were doing a few minutes ago—'giving you the eye', is the human term for it, I think."

"Thank you for this information, my friend. It is… invaluable." He smirked slightly before a look of confusion crossed his face. "May I ask how you were able to recognize this game of hers? Clearly I was not the first to…gain her attention."

Garrus sighed. No. Telling him about Alenko is Shepard's responsibility, not mine. He wasn't about to get that involved in their relationship, no matter how happy he was for his teammates. He opened his mouth to speak when his eyes caught on a pale-faced Shepard stumbling out of the bathroom.

Thane followed his gaze and stood up immediately. "Shepard. Are you alright?"

Karina shook her head before putting her hand over her mouth. "Ok. So for the record, shaking your head while nauseous is a bad idea," she croaked.

"C'mon, Blue, you've had enough drinks tonight," Garrus said gently as they quickly moved to her side, offering their assistance. "Let's get you back to the Normandy."

Unfortunately Shepard's immediate reaction was to nod, which sent her stumbling against the drell, who caught her with ease. Red-faced, she quickly rearranged herself so her arm was draped across Thane's shoulder and her other hand rested on Garrus's forearm. Her companions shared a knowing look before slowly escorting their fearless leader back to the ship. She only threw up once.

The next day was hell. The stress of command added to the burning sunlight of Haestrom and a hangover that would piss off a krogan had turned Shepard into a mess. She needed a pick-me-up. Her tired gray eyes scanned the battlefield before alighting upon a crate that was a level below them.

"Thane, could you go check out that crate while I finish hacking this PDA?" she asked politely.

Thane paused a moment before nodding silently. He seemed to go down the stairs deliberately slowly and Karina wondered if she was imagining it. She mentally shrugged, content to enjoy the extra time spent staring at his ass. Hopefully Garrus would be otherwise occupied. Suddenly a slight cough forced her eyes to reluctantly leave their happy place. Karina felt her heart sink as her eyes slowly rose to meet Thane's. He'd turned his head to look back at her and was currently wearing a most peculiar expression. "I…" she stammered, desperately searching for a reasonable excuse. "I thought I saw blood on your pants."

The assassin smirked as he continued down the stairs. "Perhaps that seemingly useless crate will contain some stain remover."

Stifled laughter erupted behind her and Karina spun on her heel, her eyes glaring down her turian companion. "You told him about the stairs game?" she hissed angrily. "Fuck, what else did you mention, you ass?"

Garrus managed to stop his silent laughter long enough to hold up his talons innocently. "Sorry Commander. I'm not at liberty to share that information. I believe the term is… 'bro code'?"

It's funny, during my first playthrough of ME1 and even ME2, I could not for the life of me understand the obsession with Garrus. And while his fairly attractive voice wasn't nearly enough to distract me from Thane's super attractive voice, I did grow to appreciate him, if not at least for his occasional funny remarks and the fact that he and Thane made an all around badass squad. Fun times with the dream team :) Thanks again to my lovely reviewers! You guys are the reason I update so quickly! And I don't have a life. Yeah, that helps too.