Chapter Three

"Is that webbing?" James peered at the strange grey substance hanging from the cavern walls like Spanish moss on steroids.

Shepard stopped her forward momentum so quickly that puffs of dust arose from the ground at her feet. "Webbing? Ah, crap." She stared intently at the strands. "We've fought rachni before. I don't remember them spinning webs."

Garrus laughed as understanding dawned.

Linda glared at him. "I don't see anything amusing here, Vakarian."

James looked from one to the other, waiting for an explanation. Garrus was more than happy to give him one. "Lieutenant, there is one thing that few people know about our Commander." Glancing at Linda, he continued in a stage whisper, "She is afraid of spiders."

Shepard continued to stare uneasily at the webbing. "I'm not afraid of spiders – I just dislike them intensely. I don't relish the thought of stumbling across some previously unknown race of giant space spiders capable of taking out an entire squad of Krogan."

A grin spread across James' face as he turned and looked at Shepard. "Seriously, Lola? You're afraid of spiders?"

Garrus strode over to Vega and began giving him details – his glee evident in his voice. "You have no idea. I've rescued her from arachnids on more than one occasion. When I asked her what I should do with the poor creatures, she told me that I should blow them out the air lock. And she wasn't kidding."

James snorted with laughter.

"And you haven't lived until you've seen what I call the 'spider dance'."

"What's that?"

"It's this marvelous freestyle piece that Shepard performs when she thinks a spider might actually be on her – usually accompanied by the words 'getifoff, getitoff, getitoff.' The words rise in pitch as they're spoken."

Shepard scowled at both of them.

"Gee, Commander, I'd love to see that. Your, ah, ability to dance is legendary."

Linda hefted the Firestorm that she had removed from the body of the krogan scout. "It would behoove both of you to remember that I am carrying a flame thrower." She turned her back on the two men, stomped to the webbing and flamed it into ash as gales of laughter broke out behind her.

####

The column of rock shattered, creating a cloud of razor-sharp shrapnel that spread rapidly in all directions. Linda activated her barrier as she threw herself behind cover but she wasn't quick enough to dodge the sliver of stone that slashed open her cheek as it passed. She gasped in pain and quickly applied enough medi-gel to stop the bleeding.

"Commander! Are you alright?" James' voice crackled over the comm unit.

"I'm fine. It's just a scratch." Shepard shifted her position slightly so she could check on her teammates. "What the hell was that?"

Garrus rolled to his stomach and used the scope on his sniper rifle to get a look at their adversary. "Well, Shepard, I have good news and bad news," he replied. "The good news is that we're dealing with rachni, not spiders." He chuckled grimly. "The bad news is that the Reapers have apparently made a few upgrades to our friends."

"Upgrades? What do you mean?" Quickly following suit, Linda used the scope on her assault rifle to see what they were facing. "Great. Rachni with heavy weapons. Awesome. What will they think of next? Never mind – I don't want to know." Everyone ducked as another massive round struck dangerously close. As the dust settled, she motioned sharply to her squad. "Alright, gentlemen - you know what we need to do. Let's hit them with everything we've got."

As one, the trio leaped to their feet and rushed to meet the enemy, the air crackling with gunfire and biotics.

####

Linda glanced at Grunt as Dr. Chakwas cleaned and cauterized the gash on her cheek. The krogan was in stable condition and feeling good enough to heckle Mordin, who responded to his jests good-naturedly.

"All finished, Shepard." The doctor scowled at her handiwork. "I'm afraid you may have a scar." She arched a brow accusingly. "It's hard to work on a patient that won't sit still."

Shepard shrugged. "It's no big deal. This mission is just getting started – I'm sure I'll have plenty more scars to deal with before this is all over."

The doctor shook her head. "What is it with you and Garrus? He won't let me treat his scars either - I think he is actually proud of them."

Linda grinned as she slid off of the examination table. "Comparing our scars can lead to other interesting activities." A frown crossed her face briefly. Or it might, if we ever have any time alone.

Dr. Chakwas noticed the frown. "Is everything okay, Shepard?"

"Everything is fine – or it will be once we get rid of a few of our passengers."

Giving the doctor a wave, Shepard left the Med Lab and surveyed the mess hall with a smile. She was pleased with how well her crew was meshing. All of her crews had functioned well together, but this one had come together on a level unreached by the others. The mess hall served as a constant hub of activity and it wasn't uncommon to find crew members relaxing together in the lounge or even visiting each other's quarters and work areas. Tonight James and Garrus were among the crowd in the mess hall, chatting easily over their meals. She made her way over and gave them each an affectionate slap on the shoulder.

"I see this meeting of the Normandy Smartass Club is well underway. Good work out there today, gentlemen. We make a good team." She turned a steely blue gaze on James. "Vega, if I find any spiders anywhere in my vicinity, I'm going to hold you personally responsible – and I promise you, payback is hell. Understood?"

"Understood, Lo… I mean, ma'am."

"At ease, soldier." James could hear the laughter in Linda's voice as she turned to walk away. "Enjoy your evening."

"Shepard, wait." Garrus hurriedly wiped his mouth and discarded the remains of his food. "Do you have a minute? I have something I need to discuss with you."

"Of course." She waited for Garrus to catch up with her, then made her way to the elevator, where she punched the button for her cabin. As soon as the door closed behind them, Garrus pulled her into his arms, kissed her gently, then pressed his forehead to hers; she sighed and relaxed against him, enjoying being in his arms again. They finished the ride in silence.

When the door opened, Shepard reluctantly pulled away from Garrus, but took his hand in hers and led him into her cabin. "You said that you needed to talk to me?"

"Yeah." Garrus pulled her back into his arms, wanting to take full advantage of this rare opportunity. "I want to apologize for the fact that we haven't been able to spend any time together. Alone. Like this. Every time I think I may have a few minutes, the Primarch tracks me down again." He leaned his face into the hand that Shepard placed against his mandible.

"It's okay. Curing the genophage is a big deal. The fate of your planet rests on getting the aid of the krogans. However…" she stretched up and outlined his mouth with the tip of her tongue as she teased the sensitive skin below his fringe with her fingertips. "I haven't forgotten that we still need to get reacquainted. I've got several things in mind for that occasion."

Garrus rumbled with pleasure and pressed Shepard closer to him. "Oh? I've been making a few plans myself." He lowered his head and kissed her, letting his hands run over her body, lingering briefly over the swell of her breasts before dropping them to her ass. "You still have the best ass I've ever seen."

"Mmmm. Tell me more."

The intercom chimed abruptly and Primarch Victus' voice crackled over the speakers. "Vakarian? I heard that you were back on board. I need you in the War Room right away. We have to finalize the plans for the turian fighters that will be aiding in the distribution of the genophage cure on Tuchanka. Vakarian? Are you there?"

Linda could hear Garrus' teeth grinding as he struggled to get his emotions under control. "Yes, General. I'm here. I'll join you shortly. Vakarian out." Breaking the connection, he slammed one hand against the fish tank, startling its occupants. "Damn! That man has impeccable timing." Turning to Shepard, he added, "See what I mean?"

Linda laughed and gave him a playful swat on the rear. "Well, you know what they say, war is hell. Go on - duty calls. I'll catch you later."

Garrus cursed quietly under his breath as he made his way out of the cabin. He was still swearing vigorously as the elevator door closed.

####

Shepard strained to see through the thickening fog. Or was it smoke? She sniffed the air, unable to decide. Where is everyone? I can hear them whispering. Wait. There – in the distance. A flicker of light. She ran, feeling as though she were wearing mag boots to a track meet. The boy? Thank God! This time, I will help him. She batted frantically at the flames that sprung up around him. No! Not again…

She woke with a gasp, sweat pouring from her body, soaking the sheets that were tangled around her. The nightmare again - always the same. She made her way to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face and neck, striving to drive away the lingering effects of the dream. She studied her reflection in the mirror as she dried off, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. How can I save the galaxy when I can't even get a good night's sleep?

Her usual response upon awakening was to bury herself in the work piled up on her desk. Better to get something accomplished rather than lying in bed alone, watching the stars flow by overhead. Sleep, if it came, would only result in a repeat of the nightmare. With a sigh, Linda headed for her desk, but stopped as a single word struggled to the forefront of her thoughts. Alone. That was the problem. No more. Not this time. She threw on her shipsuit and made her way to the crew deck.

The Normandy was quiet, its engines humming softly to themselves as the rest of the ship vibrated gently in time with their song. Linda made her way to the main battery without encountering anyone else. The battery was dark, the only light coming from the display that Garrus used to track the activity of the turian fleet. She moved cautiously, letting her eyes adjust. She finally found him, sleeping on a pallet on the floor between his workstation and the controls for the Thanix cannon. He was snoring softly. How I have missed that sound! She knelt and crawled carefully to the pallet, lifted the lightweight covering draped over him and slid under.

Always a light sleeper, Garrus woke instantly. "Shepard? Is everything okay?"

"It is now," she whispered. "Bad dreams. I didn't want to be alone." She gave him a quick kiss, and then curled up against him, pulling his arms around her. "Go back to sleep."

Garrus nuzzled her ear and murmured "I'll keep the nightmares away." Settling the covers over them both, he hummed to her – songs from his childhood – as he had done when her dreams had been haunted by visions of the Collectors. Now, as then, she relaxed in his arms and slowly drifted into a sound, dreamless slumber. Only when Shepard's breathing changed to the rhythm that let him know she was in a deep sleep, did Garrus dare to doze again. His senses were tuned to his lover; he knew that he would wake at the first sign of any disturbance.

The rest of the night passed peacefully and Garrus woke first. He slid out of bed carefully, hoping that Linda would continue to sleep. He had just returned from the mess hall with a steaming cup of tea when the Primarch made an unexpected appearance.

"Vakarian! The Reapers have attacked a fuel depot and broken our supply lines…" Garrus made urgent shushing motions with his hands. The Primarch looked confused, but lowered his voice before continuing. "I need for you to run the numbers – determine the best way for us to maximize our existing fuel supply until we can connect with a new source."

"I'll get right on it, sir," Garrus whispered.

"No need to whisper. I'm awake." Shepard got to her feet, stretched, and brushed her hair out of her eyes before joining the men.

"Commander Shepard." Victus nodded respectfully. "I didn't know you were here."

She laughed. "Long night. Bad dreams. Garrus doesn't seem to have them, and he is good at keeping mine away." She grinned at Garrus as she spoke; he looked thoroughly nonplussed by the entire situation.

The Primarch's gaze softened as he looked at the pair in front of him. "Ah. I was unaware of the relationship between you. I feel as though I should apologize – I'm sure that my demands on Vakarian's time have not allowed you to have a decent reunion."

Garrus chuckled ruefully. "No sir, they have not."

Linda waved her hand in the air as though brushing the matter aside. "We are both career military. We know that the mission comes first." She cocked her head to one side and gazed thoughtfully at the Primarch. "However, I must admit that I am a bit surprised that you don't seem the least bit bothered by our unorthodox relationship."

"Commander, I've never been one to color inside the lines – a very un-turian trait, I assure you." He shrugged. "Life, love, war… none of these things can be placed inside a box. I say, when you find the one that you are meant to be with, you make the most of it and to hell with what others think. Life is too short."

"My sentiments exactly, Primarch."

Garrus, still tongue-tied, nodded in agreement.

Shepard winked at him and made her way to the door. "Carry on, gentlemen."

As the door closed, the Primarch turned to Garrus. "Excellent taste in women, Vakarian. I didn't know you had it in you. Now about those numbers…"