Title: Artemisia Shepard, War Hero
By: Midnight Unicorn
Disclaimers: Main character semi-mine, others and places are not
A shoutout to my boyfriend for help with Zaeed's characterization.
Zaeed nearly fell when he stepped out of the Hammerhead and had to grip the frame to keep his legs under him. The heat of Karumto had worked its way through the metal structure and sweat ran down his face.
A step down and he was engulfed in Normandy's blessedly cool, controlled environment and wonderfully solid, stable, non-volcanic floor. He looked up and saw Garrus waiting expectantly, a smirk pulling the undamaged side of his face.
"Did you have a nice ride?" he asked, tone so innocent it might have fooled someone else. Might.
Shepard exhaled sharply, swiping her hair back from her face. "Shut up, Garrus."
"Nicer than the rides I've had with your mum, turian," Zaeed answered with bravado. Shepard made an odd face, like she couldn't decide whether to laugh or scold. "At least I'm walking away from this one."
Garrus didn't rise to the bait, in fact, he snorted. "Limping away. Don't fall before you reach Chakwas. She can soothe your old bones."
If Shepard hadn't been standing right there, Zaeed might have done more than just consider putting a concussive round between Garrus' shoulder blades. The turian probably knew it, too, damn him. Zaeed settled on an ineffectual glare and plotted to tamper with the harnesses next time Garrus went with Shepard.
A/N: Thank you to Midnight Genius for all the reviews. To Jota-J-Krios and Firecookie for faving my baby, and to Jon36155 and RayneEthelwulf for the alerts; I have a bit of a back stock, so there'll be more soon.