The next day she was holed up in her quarters. Garrus started to get concerned about her and messaged her.

"You okay? Not binge watching Blasto, are you?"

"No, just work. I've got official orders for our next mission."

"Don't work too hard. How about I come by tonight and we can watch a vid together, if that's okay?"

"Sure, I'd like that. 20:00 hours."

"See you then." Garrus shut off his omni-tool.

At the appointed time, he pinged her door. "Enter," she called.

"Hey there, brought some Serrice ice brandy. Dr. Chakwas says it's the best. Not too sure what you really like."

"That's good stuff. I've got some Turian ale in my cabinet for you, too."

He was surprised, "Really? When did you get that?"

She brought it out of her cabinet, "A few weeks ago. Wanted to toast to Saren's demise. With everything that's been going on, I haven't had a chance. Now's the time, now's really the time," a sad look flickered over her face, then she smiled at him, "Here, I'll get some glasses."

He sat down at her table and fiddled with the controls on his omni-tool for her vidscreen. "What do you want to watch?"

"Oh, how about Blasto? You mentioned that the other day, and I've never seen it."

"Sure," he brought it on screen as she handed him a glass. He poured the Turian ale and took a drink, "Wow, smooth. This is quality stuff, Jane. Thanks a lot."

She raised her glass to his, "To taking down Saren."

He met his glass to hers, "And to you."

She smiled and took a drink. They watched the vid, laughing and pointing out inconsistencies in the battle scenes.

Shepard rolled her eyes, "There's no way a pistol holds that many clips."

Garrus laughed raucously, "You are so cute, that really irritates you doesn't it?"

"Well, they should have a consultant to make it realistic."

"Realistic, like how a hanar is a secret agent with an Asari girlfriend?"

She grinned, "I guess you have a point."

As the movie wound down, he got up and cleaned up his glasses, putting the Turian ale away. He looked over at her critically. "You're awfully quiet. Didn't like the movie?"

"No, I loved it. It was funny. It's just," she picked at the seam in her cargo pants. "I got orders for the next mission."

"Oh yea, you mentioned that. What's the problem, are we going somewhere really shitty?"

"We're always going somewhere shitty. No, the problem is that you can't come with me." She looked down.

"What?" he closed the cabinet and turned to face her. "Why?"

She rubbed her eyes with her hands, "The Alliance is taking over the Normandy. All alien crew has to be off the ship in the next three days. I – haven't told anybody else yet."

Garrus leaned against the wall. He looked visibly deflated. "Oh."

She got up and started pacing, "I tried to fight it, but I don't have a choice."

"You are a Spectre now, you know."

"Yes, but to go after the Reaper threat, I need the Normandy. If I leave, I won't have the ability to pursue the facts. I'm sorry, I don't know how I'm going to do this without you." She started to choke up.

"Hey, there's always another way, you should know that. Look, I hadn't said anything, but I've actually been approached for Spectre training."

She brought her head up, "Really? That's great Garrus!"

He smiled, "Thanks. I wasn't going to take them up on it, but now, well, I think I will. It's a one year program, and after I make Spectre, I'm free to go where I like."

"You're right. That's a great idea. You should totally go for it. I can't believe you were going to give up being a Spectre to stay here on the Normandy."

"Well, I made a commitment to you, and I meant it."

She smiled. "You know, we could go on Spectre missions together. We make an awesome team. It won't take me too long to clear the rest of the galaxy out of geth."

"Agreed. You'll have to make sure to keep messaging me, keep me up to date on everything that's going on."

"Of course. And I know you'll be nagging me about doing my shoulder exercises."

"I gave Dr. Chakwas my solemn vow."

She laughed. "I don't feel so bad about you having to leave, knowing that it's an opportunity for you. I've still got to let the rest of the crew know too."

"You can do that tomorrow. How about another vid? I'd like to get as much out of it as I can, knowing I'll be in Spectre boot camp soon."

They watched another vid, and as Shepard turned it off, she heard Garrus softly snoring on her bed. She watched him for a minute, thinking about how much she was going to miss him. She checked her omni-tool – it was 02:38. "Damn it's late." She turned off the lights and took off her boots and climbed up in her bed. As she lay down on the other side of the bed, he woke up, "Spirits, I drifted off, what time is it?"

"It's late," she said looking over her shoulder, "Look, just go ahead and sleep here, it's no big deal." She turned over and pulled the pillow under her.

"Okay, sure." He leaned back down, then said, "But wait, won't your boyfriend be upset?"

Shepard's eyes flew open, "My what!"

"Your boyfriend, Kaidan."

She sat up on her knees and looked down at him frowning, "He's not my boyfriend."

Garrus put his hand under his head to get a better look at her, "Look, I know it's against Alliance regs, but it's okay, you can be honest with me."

She shook her head vigorously, "He is not my boyfriend. What gave you that idea? Is he saying that?"

"Jane, everyone knows he spent the night with you before our mission to Ilos. I didn't know it was a one-night stand, it's really none of my-"

"Wait a minute," she put her hand on his chest, "Nothing happened between us, nothing at all. He came up here, we talked a little bit, he did try to kiss me, but I pushed him away. I don't feel that way about him at all, and I told him that that night. I felt bad that he was embarrassed, and we just sat and talked and had a few drinks, but that was it. I made it clear we were just friends, and he understood that." She pointed at him and raised her voice, "Is he saying we slept together?"

"No, no. Some of the crew saw you guys hugging in your doorway, and knowing how he felt about you, we just assumed. I'm sorry, I didn't realize it wasn't like that."

"Son of a bitch. Yes, I hugged him when he left, he was worried about the mission. Damn, I should have figured people would think there was something going on."

"You know, it's no big deal to like him. I kind of thought you did-"

"NO! I don't want him, I never wanted him! I want you." And she punctuated her words by slamming her hand on his chest. She drew in a gasp.

"What?"

"Um, I –"

Garrus propped himself up on his elbows and looked at her critically, "What did you say?"

She looked down, Dammit, fuck!

She cleared her throat, "I said," she paused and shut her eyes tight, moving her hand away from his chest, "That I never wanted him." She started to pull away.

He grabbed her hand, "What was the other part?"

She shook her head, but wouldn't look at him, "Nothing, nothing."

"Jane," he said with an edge to his voice.

"I said that I, uh, want you." She said quietly. She put her hands in her lap and studied them.

"That's what I thought you said."

"I'm sorry Garrus, I didn't mean to say that."

"You don't mean it?"

"No, I mean it, I just wasn't planning to say anything." She looked up at his shocked face, "I hope I haven't offended you. I've tried really hard all these months to keep it to myself."

He shook his head, "No, no, it's not like that. I'm just surprised, that's all."

She took a deep breath and slowly nodded, "Okay, well, I guess you should go." She got up off the bed.

"Wait, wait a minute," he reached out for her arm and pulled her back. He sat up and tilted his head, looking at her, "So, you're saying you want to be in a relationship with me?"

She sat on the edge of the bed and continued to look at her hands. "Yes. I value our friendship too much to risk it, though. Look, let's just please forget I said anything."

Garrus let out a loud breath. "You know, I've never considered interspecies intercourse before."

She put her face in her hands, "Oh god, please tell me we're not having this conversation."

"No, really, hear me out. I've never thought about it, but you're different. I could see us together. I'd definitely consider it."

She peered up from behind her hands, "Look, don't patronize me."

"Jane, don't be insulting. I'm serious. Things are different with us, we're close, very close. I admire you a lot, I care so much for you. Just because I've never thought about taking things to the next level doesn't mean I'm against it. I just don't know anything about how it works logistically."

"It's been done before." She said, biting her lip.

He nodded, "I know, I just – would need to do some research."

"I've looked it up, we're actually not too different. You just have to wear protection, the difference between amino and dextro species could create an allergic reaction." She stopped herself when she saw a grin on his face.

"You've done some research, huh?"

"Oh, well, dammit. Yes I have. I was wondering if it was even possible, and I found out it is, that's all." She smoothed out her sheet.

He chuckled. "I'm very flattered you would be interested in me like that. You don't think Turians are off-putting with our hard plates and skin, our sharp features?"

She reached out and put her hand on his arm, "I like you, Garrus, and I find you attractive. I admit I've never been with another species, but honestly, I just can't see myself with anyone but you."

He reached up and stroked the side of her face with the back of his finger. "I would be very interested in pursuing a relationship with you. It's just unfortunate that I have to leave the ship in a few days."

"I know. Look, like I said, if you want to forget it, I understand. We'll always be best friends, no matter what."

He shook his head and scooted closer to her, "No, I want to try. I just mean it's complicated, us being in different places. We can just take it one day at a time, and see, right?"

She smiled, "Yea, of course."

He lay back on the bed and motioned for her to lay in front of him, "Come on."

She lay down and said, "Um, I-"

"No, not that. Just lay next to me, and let's get some sleep."

She snuggled up into him and felt his warmth against her back. He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her hand in his. She reveled in the feeling of being in his arms, and went contentedly to sleep.