Finally the time rolled around and I made my way to the shady gentlemen's club in the lower wards. I'd been here plenty of times before on duty, but this would be the first time I came in as a customer.
The asari dancers above the bar always nabbed my attention, swirling and bouncing their hips to the rhythm of the music bumping through the dark room. I looked around away and tried to find my mystery date, there were a few turians around, but not the one I thought I'd find. I did however, lock eyes with my brother across the room.
He grinned as I hurriedly pushed past all who were in my way, until I met him at his table and crashed into him, hugging him as tightly as I could.
"Elliot! What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since graduation." We pulled apart and I took a seat across from him.
"I'm here on shore leave. I just left mom and dad's, and I wanted to surprise you."
"Well, mission accomplished, I had NO idea who I was meeting." I leaned back and thought of Garrus, feeling slightly disappointed, but not much. I was really excited to see my brother, even if he did get on my nerves. We chatted for a while, our voices slightly raised to be heard clearly over the music and other voices. We drank and talked freely and for once I felt like I was talking to a friend and not just my older brother.
Elliot set his empty glass down and leaned forward, chewing his bottom lip.
"Listen Nat, I actually did have something to tell you." I raised an eyebrow and motioned for him to continue.
"I'm sure you're aware of the hits on human colonies that's been happening lately." I nodded and he continued. "Well, they're stationing a lot of us on the colonies, we're hoping we can hit whoever is doing this and make it stop. They're sending me to Horizon." I started to smile excitedly.
"Maybe they'll send me somewhere?" He frowned and shook his head a little.
"Nat, Udina has you here in C-Sec. He turns everyone down who tries to select you for other assignments. I've been trying for weeks to get you moved, and he keeps rejecting it. I'm sorry." I collapsed back against my seat and huffed deeply.
"What….that son of a bitch! I'm going up to his office right now and kicking his ass." I stood up quickly, feeling a little dizzy from the drinks. My brother grabbed my wrist and yanked me back down.
"Absolutely not. He will get you arrested if you even go near him. You are an Alliance Military Soldier. You've wanted this ever since you were a kid, do not fuck up and do anything stupid, Natalie. I mean it. Eventually, you'll get to go somewhere. Just not right now. Let it go." I growled angrily, feeling myself shaking from anger.
'Fine, you're right. But I can't sit here anymore. I need to go walk this off. It was good seeing you, Elliot." I stood and walked out of the bar, paying my bill on my omnitool as I left. Udina. That sonofabitch. Someday I'd give him what he deserved.
As I stormed down the wards corridor, I felt a hand grab my arm. I turned around, expecting Elliot and finding Garrus instead.
"Natalie, are you okay?" I pulled my arm back and crossed it with the other.
"I'm fine. Just got totally fucked over by a shitstorm of a person, but whatever. I'm totally fine." He smiled a little, which did not make me feel better.
"Yeah, I uh, heard what happened. Udina is a real piece of work, I know. I don't know what you did to piss him off, but apparently you're very high on his shit list. Maybe above Shepard. Or atleast tied with her." He chuckled and leaned against the wall. I looked around impatiently. I didn't care for this conversation.
"Did you want something? Sorry, but I'm really not in a friendly mood." He stopped smiling and dropped the good humor act.
"I did actually. I'm sure you're aware of my behavior lately. That incident at Flux wasn't my first, I've been hitting the bottle pretty hard since Shepard...well, you know." I nodded uncomfortably. We all missed Shepard, but Garrus had been one of her best friends.
"Anyway, I had a very awkward talk with some old friends, and I realized that I can either continue wasting my time, or using my anger and grief for something worth a damn. I'm going off grid. I'm leaving C-Sec and going rogue. I'm sick and tired of the rules, I can do more and save more on my own. But I need help. I need a crew. And I think you'd be perfect for it."
I dropped my arms and stared hard at him.
"You want me...to just disappear with you, and be...like one of your merry men while you play robin hood?" He didn't seem pleased with my analogy.
"I mean, I guess. If you want to put it that way. Yes. You hate the rules as much I do. You're being wasted here, Gallagher. You have real talent, and Udina is locking it away because he's a prick." I bit my lip. Garrus was saying everything I wanted to hear in this moment. Nothing sounded better than running away to do what I actually dreamed of as a kid. Adventure, danger, actually making a difference...but I had responsibilities here..people expected things of me. I shook my head.
"I respect what you're saying, Garrus. But I'm an Alliance Soldier. I can't ruin my reputation. I can't turn away from what I signed on to do. I'm sorry." He nodded slowly and stood straight.
"Well then, I guess this is goodbye, Gallagher. I'm sorry we didn't get to spend more time together. I think we would have made an amazing team." Why did that hurt so bad to hear? Why did I feel like he was breaking up with me? I nodded awkwardly and walked past him.
"Goodbye, Garrus."