Hello, everyone! Wow! What can I say but 'wow'! This has gotten more attention than I thought it would! I want to thank everyone for reading/following/favoriting and reviewing! It really is a great boost and helps keep me going on the story! Reviews are always welcome and if you ever have a question or suggestion for the story, please let me know by review or PM! I love having input! It is always great having another's opinion. Well, I thought I would go ahead and add two chapters this week since I was still ahead on writing and I didn't post anything last week. And, if you read my other story, I apologize for not having another chapter up for Continuing Forward! To be honest, I think the next chapter I post will be the last for that story L. It is time, and I think it has run its course, for now. But, I really do want to give you a good product so I don't want to rush anything. Sorry to give an update for another story in the author's note of Familial Ties, so let's get on with it!
Chapter 4
Garrus lined up his shot which tore through the head of the batarian slaver.
"Damn it, Garrus! That one was mine!" Shepard's voice came over his headset.
"Oh, really? I didn't see your name on it," he chuckled back to her.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I really think we should be focusing on the task at hand."
Garrus rolled his eyes but Shepard's voice chimed in again, "Come on, lighten up, Williams. No need to be jealous just because our kill count is higher."
"Hang in there, Williams. I'm sure one day you'll be able to match her, maybe not me, but probably her."
"Screw you, Vakarian." A shotgun blast echoed across the room as she took out another foe. He took out one more on the ledge above them then turned his attention back to Shepard. Her biotics flared as she threw an enemy into a wall. Garrus noticed her shields flicker as another slaver closed in on her, unloading his weapon. Lining up his sights, he pulled the trigger, causing the man to go limp just as Shepard turned to face him. "Thanks, Garrus. I guess it was a good idea to bring you along."
"You knew that I was more than just a pretty face," and he smiled to himself as they cleared out the room. With the last one dead on the ground, Garrus exited his position and moved next to Shepard as she holstered her weapon and Ashley jogged up to her other side. Glancing down at her, he saw her typing away on her omni-tool, her head lowered and her helmet obscuring his vision to see her face or what she was doing. Reactivating the comm-link, he asked, "Something wrong, Shepard?"
She shook her head and looked up at him, giving him a warm smile through the visor of her helmet. They walked into an office and he moved over to the wall safe, the routine natural for them. He noticed Shepard had already started to look for medi-gel and terminals to hack, while Ashley stood awkwardly to the side. Just as he cracked the safe, he heard his earpiece crackle to life.
"Can you hear me, Garrus?"
"Shepard?" he asked, partly looking over his shoulder.
"You know a lot of human females that hack into your comm-unit, big guy? Who else?"
"You hacked in to set up a private link without permission?"
"This way we could continue our trash talk without Miss. Stick-in-the-mud ruining it," her laugh chimed through. "Though, I guess we'll have to be a little coy in our communications so she doesn't suspect anything."
"Will we still be able to hear her?"
"Of course! Don't belittle my skills, Vakarian. I have set it up so we can quickly switch back and forth between the open channel and this one."
"Do this often, Commander?"
There was a long pause before she answered, "Actually, no."
"I didn't realize you had that in your repertoire of skills."
"Picked up a little from my dad. He taught John and me a few things. I didn't really want to learn more until the choice was made to join the Alliance."
"You say that as if you didn't make that choice," he chuckled, moving up next to her and heading towards the exit.
Jane was silent for a long time. They were back in the Mako and moving by the time she answered him, "So you have great perspective both on and off the battlefield. Maybe someday I'll fill you in on that story, but right now, we don't have the time."
Wrex watched the pair standing at the weapon table. The other human, Williams, had already cleaned her weapons and had gone up in the elevator. Shepard and Vakarian were still at the table, either cleaning or modding out their weapons, Wrex couldn't tell from this angle. He usually stayed out of social issues of any species, but this was growing more and more amusing to watch.
"Wrex, do you have a moment?" Liara said, approaching slowly. "Oh, I didn't wake you did I?"
He grunted at her timidness but knew she was a formidable fighter, despite the scientist background. They had only been under Shepard's command for a short time but had gone on assignments with the asari before. It wouldn't be often he knew, a little too much biotic power in the one team. "It's fine, asari. Just resting my eyes. What do you want?"
"I was actually interested in learning a little more about krogan culture, if you didn't mind me asking. Oh, good to see that Shepard is back. Mission went well you think?"
"Yeah. And it seems that someone has a favorite."
"Well, with her fighting style, she needs a good sniper covering her. She charges into fights fearlessly, I almost wonder how she hasn't gotten killed yet."
He let out a very guttural chuckle, "Yeah, 'sniper'… that's what it is."
"What's bothering you, John?" Garrus said eyeing the human across from him. He could tell that John had heard him, but the man seemed extremely focused on something to his left. Out of the corner of his vision he could see the lieutenant at his console.
"Hey, Alenko!" John called out. When the man turned to face them, John waved his hand at him, "Wanna join us?"
Kaidan seemed to pause but gave a shrug, grabbed his bottle of water and sat down next to John, diagonally from Garrus. "Sure, why not. To what do I owe this invitation?"
"Just wanted to talk for a bit. You and I haven't really had a chance. I thought maybe the three of us could sit down have a small bit of 'guy' time," he gestured around the table and gave his winning smile that Garrus recognized as the one he would use when interviewing people. Garrus knew that he was up to something but couldn't place it just yet.
"Yeah, I guess there hasn't been too much time. You two were in C-Sec together, right?"
"Yup! This big lug over here almost ripped my head off my second day as a detective. Guess I got on his nerves, right, Garrus?"
"I had never dealt with a human like this one," Garrus waved his hand at John and his mandibles flared in a grin. "Well, I guess I have met a second one in Commander Shepard. I can see where she gets it, but she is definitely different though."
"Yeah," Kaidan gazed off at the far wall, "she certainly is something."
Garrus' eyes met John's, their minds both wondering the same thing.
"So… you and my sister, huh?" John said, his voice low.
The question snapped Kaidan back to the conversation as he seemed to realize what he had implied. "What? Oh, no. I mean, we haven't served for very long together. We did meet once, a few months before the Normandy was finished, but it has really just been our time on the Normandy. So, why didn't you join the Alliance, John?"
He gave a small shrug and smile, "Eh, I thought about it. Our parents really pushed for it, but uh, not really what I was looking for." He hid his face with a broad smile, but Garrus could tell he was leaving something out.
"Yeah, I can understand. Not really for everyone, right? How about you, Garrus? No military for you?"
"Actually, all turians serve in the military," he said simply. He was a little surprised that Kaidan didn't know this already but decided not to judge him for it. "When we turn fifteen we take part in military training. Eventually, I joined C-Sec," Garrus offered but didn't elaborate. He didn't tell everyone about his past.
"So, besides the biotics," John started, "why did you join the Alliance? Sign on for the dream? Secure man's future in space?"
"Heh, yeah, I mean, I read a lot of those books; where the hero goes to space to prove himself worthy of a woman he loves, or you know, for justice."
"Hmph," John leaned back in his chair. "Woman he loves, huh? Wouldn't that be something? Ever think about that, Garrus?"
"Not really. Turians see it as more of an obligation. And we tend to approach our relationships casually, unless they are, what humans refer to as 'the one', in which case, we would become mates, rather quickly. Mate for life, you know."
"I wish we humans were better at that," Kaidan said quietly.
They sat silently, each of their minds going in different directions. Their reverie was broken when they heard light footsteps coming down the steps and the hushed voices of women. Shepard, Tali, and Liara rounded the corner.
"I'll see you two later," Jane said and walked into her room without acknowledging any of the men at the table.
"Tali!" John said jumping up from the table.
"Yes, John?" she drawled, turning slowly to face him.
"Just wanted to talk for a bit. Care for a short walk?"
"I was getting ready to go down to the engine room."
"Then a short walk to the engine room."
Giving a small sigh that turned to static through her filter, she nodded, "Fine."
Liara sat in the seat next to the one John had vacated and smiled shyly at Garrus and Kaidan.
"Um… I'll be right back," Kaidan said jumping up from the table and cautiously going into Shepard's room.
Jane looked up from her desk and gave an inaudible sigh, "Yes, Alenko?"
"Shepard, can we please talk?"
"Sure, what about?"
"You know what."
"There is nothing to talk about. It was one evening, before you were under my command."
"I just don't see why we can't pick up where we left off. I mean, you are a Spectre now, not technically Alliance."
"There is nothing to pick up, Kaidan. I am trying to be nice about this, but I don't know how much longer my patience will last. We are just friends."
He paused, his mouth agape with words unspoken, but he finally conceded and turned around. "Think on it though, and uh… I'll see you around, Commander."
Garrus watched Kaidan leave Shepard's room almost as quickly as he had gone in. I guess she shut him down. There was a small part of Garrus that wanted to go in and see if he would get thrown out just as fast; he had a feeling he would be invited to stay a while, which made him smile in his mind. Kaidan plopped back down in his previous chair, staring blankly at the table. Garrus was starting to feel a little awkward and wanted to give him room to wallow in his misery, but before he could leave, the young Alliance member spoke up.
"So… Garrus… you tend to go on missions with Shepard a lot."
Garrus caught eyes with Liara who quickly looked away, "Fair amount, I suppose. What's your point?"
"Nothing, I guess. Was just curious how you managed to get that spot."
Garrus gave a small shrug, "You'll have to ask Shepard that. I just cover her back."
"Are you going on the next assignment?" Kaidan asked.
"Actually," Liara said sitting up a little straighter, "Tali and I are accompanying her. Sorry, Garrus."
If he were being honest with himself, he was a little surprised. It had been a while since he hadn't been on the ground team, but he tried to shrug it off, "Hey, not my choice. Any of us make a good team."
Garrus couldn't help but let his eyes drift over to where Liara, Tali, and Shepard stood. They had just returned from an assignment on an abandoned ship, that didn't quite turn out how it was supposed to; hell, no mission ever seems to be normal for them. He turned his back purposefully on the trio, determined to focus and get some work done. But, when he heard her laugh ring out he couldn't help the slight turn of his head to peek over his shoulder.
"Hellooo? Garrus. John to Garrus?"
"Huh?" Garrus turned to see his friend leaning against the Mako with his arms crossed and his brows raised. "John, yes. Need me for something?"
"I said your name a couple times. What the hell are you thinking about?"
"What? Nothing."
"Yeah… sure… wait a second… oh, come on man. You know how much I have been talking to Tali."
"What are you talking about?"
"I would rather not have to challenge my best friend for a woman."
"Heh… No, don't worry. Wasn't thinking about that."
"Good, good." John rocked back and forth on his heels, tapping his fingers against his elbows. "So… how are you liking it here?"
"It has been good, great, really. Getting the chance to hone my skills."
"You don't say, huh?"
"Alright, what the spirits is it?"
"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Well, just curious, really. I've seen you and Jane talking a lot. And… you have been going on most of the missions?"
"Why is everyone after me on this? If you want to be on the team more, talk to Shepard, she's the commander."
"What? Oh, no, you misunderstand," John chuckled, "I'm just glad that you two are getting along. Can't have my sister hating my best friend, can I? It would make social gatherings just plain awkward."
"Yeah, awkward," Garrus agreed. "Why do you keep jumping topics so quickly? It is hard to keep up with you…"
"Hey! You two!" Jane yelled stopping between the lockers and the Mako. "John, Garrus, we will be landing on Feros in twelve hours. Ready by then?"
"Sure, no problem, Commander," Garrus answered. John simply nodded.
"Wrex, you good to go, too?" she asked, turning her head.
"Sure, Shepard. I have been feeling the need to smash something."
Giving a small grin she nodded to the three men and left towards the elevator, "That's what I like to hear!"
"We'll be docking soon, Commander," Joker said without turning around.
"Damn, Joker, since when were you all formal?" Jane responded with a grin, sitting in the copilot's chair and throwing her legs over the armrest.
"Eh, it slips sometimes." He programmed their flight path and turned his attention back on her. "Get any sleep?" She gave a small shrug and looked down at her tea, refusing to look at him. "You know, you can't keep burning the candle at both ends. It is going to catch up to you."
"I'll sleep when I'm dead. No one bothers you at that point."
"Wishful thinking, Jane. I don't think this universe could function without you."
"Yup, all these alien races who mastered space flight and have been around for thousands and thousands of years, and everything comes down to one measly human."
Joker chuckled, "Hey, I didn't make the rules."
She let out a soft sigh and reclined back in her chair, taking a long swig from her mug. After a few comfortable moments of silence, they heard heavy footsteps thudding down the walkway.
"Shepard," Wrex grunted.
Jane leaned out of the chair a little to look at the hulking krogan. "Wrex, good to see you are ready. Not too much longer before we land."
"Good. I'll be in the airlock."
After Wrex had turned the corner, Joker leaned in a little to Shepard, "Well, isn't he just a social butterfly?"
"I heard that, whelp."
Joker paled as Shepard struggled to hide her laugh.
"Aw, did we miss a good joke?" John said coming into the cockpit and leaning against the wall behind Joker. Garrus entered as well, standing behind Jane's chair.
"An unintentional joke, but yes."
"Damn, other people's misfortune is always so amusing."
Garrus flared his mandibles in a grin at the humans. Before he met John, he had always tolerated the species, but never thought he would enjoy being around them. He inhaled deeply to sigh but stopped when he caught a familiar scent. He sniffed again, confirming the scent that reminded him of home. Looking down, he saw Shepard holding a mug of tea. It was a different scent than the last time he had smelled it coming from her, but still just as familiar. He sniffed again, it was definitely coming from her beverage, but what made it smell like that? Was there an Earth scent that was similar to Palaven? It was certainly possible.
As if she could feel his eyes on her, she looked up at him, her grin still lingering from the conversation. At his hard and quizzical gaze, she seemed to read his mind. Her eyes darted from him to her tea and back again. Garrus couldn't help but stare at her, trying to piece the puzzle together. In the meantime, her cheeks turned a little pink and she quickly downed the rest of her drink and hopped out of the chair.
"Joker, what's our ETA?"
"Five minutes, Commander."
"Alright boys, time to go."
Garrus was feeling a little stressed. He knew that he shouldn't be feeling this way. They had completed the mission on Feros, saved the colony and managed not to kill a single civilian. The team had been himself, Wrex and John with Shepard. If he had to say, that was the team he preferred, especially now that he had truly earned Wrex's respect after saving him from the creepers. Garrus's finger had itched a few times when a possessed colonist got a little too close to Shepard, and he could tell that the others had felt it too.
Dealing with the Thorian had been odd, to say the least. John, and even Wrex, had looked to be a bit queasy when it had released the asari, but it was good that she survived; they received a lot of useful information from her. Garrus and John had felt a little worried when Shepard accepted the cipher from their previous foe.
They could all see that she was weary from the day's events and participating in the 'embrace eternity' mind meld. Although Garrus had never taken part in it, he could tell that it was quite taxing, and the information she was receiving would probably kill most humans. While they were breaking down their weapons, Garrus had on more than one occasion steadied Shepard, keeping her from falling over. Everyone had offered to finish up for her, including Wrex, but she had declined them all and stubbornly called the debriefing meeting. When Shepard joined with Liara, Garrus could tell she was barely holding on but still took her talk with the Council. He thought about waiting for her afterwards but was glad he didn't when she brushed past everyone and went into her room without another word, locking everyone out.
It had only been about two hours since then, and despite the successful mission, Garrus was still on edge. He knew that it was probably due to them having been so close to Saren, but he still managed to slip away. They had been right there, so close to finishing this! He had to burn some of this stress off and with this being a human vessel, his usual ways were not an option, so he would have to settle with general training.
Opening the door to the workout room, Garrus was surprised to hear a low but quick thumping. He saw the sack, What do the humans call them – punching bags? – yes, that is it, swinging from its hook. Another set of quick thuds and he saw Shepard dance around its side. She was in a tight white tank top and loose black shorts that cut off at her mid-thigh, each with the N7 logo. Her fringe was done differently than he had seen it before, woven in itself to keep it off of her neck.
"Shepard?"
She paused her assault and caught the bag as it swung back towards her, "Garrus? Hey." Her breathing was still heavy, her chest heaving from the exertion. Taking a good look at her, he started to pick up on the small details: her cheeks flushed, her skin a rosy pink, some of her fringe falling loose around her face, some flattened to her skin from sweat.
"What are you doing down here?" he walked towards her and watched as she rolled her shoulders, shaking out any kinks.
"Um… training? Does it look like something else?" she chuckled and grabbed the towel on the rack against the wall. After wiping her face of sweat, she stretched her arms in every direction.
"Well, yeah it looks like that, but shouldn't you be resting?"
"Maybe… don't tell Chakwas, though."
"Your secret is safe with me. So, do you come down here often?" she began stretching out her legs but gave him a funny look, "Wait… that's not what I meant."
She laughed at him, shaking her head, "I try to sneak away when I can. Lately, it has been a little harder to make the time. I used to spar all the time, but I haven't really found many who are worth the energy. And trying to work out schedules right now is just more of a headache."
"Didn't realize you were much of one to spar, Commander," he said while setting up the weights. "And I doubt people want to face a biotic in a sparring match."
"Hey! I have full control of my biotics! And I don't like to use them when sparring, I don't ever want to rely on them," she said bitterly.
"I sense there is something else behind that."
She only smiled up at him and leaned into her hip against the wall. "Perhaps I'll tell you sometime," she said coyly.
"You know, you keep leaving me with more questions. It is always, 'another time'."
She smiled at him again and waved her hand at the bench-press, "Need a spotter?"
"I think I'll be alright. Not going to push it too much."
"Alright. Don't hurt yourself though. We are heading to Noveria, only going to make one stop for a recon mission. Well, unless of course we get a distress call. I would like for you to be on the team when we hit Noveria."
"Heh, I'll be careful. So, am I on the recon mission as well?"
"Only if you want to be."
There were a few moments of silence between them as they stared at each other, a playful smile pulling at the corner of her lips making his mandibles want to twitch into his own smile. "As much as I do like keeping your ass out of the fire, I think it might be best if I sit this one out."
"Sit it out? Why?"
He scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little uncomfortable, "I have heard some of the crew talking. Spirits, they have been asking me why I am going so often."
Jane rolled her eyes as she swung the towel over her neck, pulling on each end, "Can't they just understand that I like having eye-candy around?" they chuckled together. "I trust them all, and with each group there is a different fighting style and I appreciate each one. But the fact of the matter is, you are the best sniper I have ever seen, Garrus… well… aside from myself, of course."
"Excuse me? I don't think I have ever seen you shoot a sniper rifle."
"Next time we are at a range, the game's on! Anyway, I shouldn't keep you from your workout. See you on my rounds tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you."
They each turned away from one another. Jane was the first to peek over her shoulder at the tall turian but quickly looked away again, shaking her head at herself and smoothing down her hair.
Garrus turned around to look at the retreating woman's back. Confusion overtook him when he saw the colors peeking out from under her shirt. His head cocked to the side as he continued to stare and saw more colors showing through the white fabric. He had heard that tattoos weren't unusual for humans, but somehow, he hadn't expected it from a higher ranking member of the Alliance. The other detail that caught his attention was the familiar red petal of a Palaven flower on her right shoulder. He wanted desperately to ask her about it, but she was out the door before he found the words.
