~Author's Note~ Thanks to those who have left reviews, and for those expressing concern for Shepard, this chapter should make you feel a bit better. :P
She originally was going to wake up last chapter, but conversations ran longer than anticipated.
Please do drop me a line if you read, and enjoy the chapter!
Garrus looked down at the station as they approached.
"Is this one of your boss's old bases?"
Miranda smiled. "Not just any old base. This was where Project Lazarus was housed."
He turned to face her, concern written all over his features. "What? Is it safe?"
Her tone was full of biting sarcasm. "No, Garrus, I'm bringing an injured Shepard to a base of her foremost enemy in the galaxy, and I haven't double and triple-checked it to make sure its safe first."
Samara cut in, and her tone was less abrasive. "Garrus, I can personally vouch for this. I helped Miranda clear out the base of any leftover Cerberus equipment. As far as the Illusive Man knows, this base was destroyed during the Reaper War. We made sure to let him keep on thinking that."
Vraela maneuvered their ship, which Miranda had informed him was called Storm of Justice, into the docking hangar. Her handling of the ship in close quarters, while not quite as fluid as Joker's, was still exceptional. Garrus would have told her that, except she and Miranda were in another shouting match.
He sighed, turning to Samara. "Are they always like this?"
She nodded. "Their personalities do seem to be in constant conflict."
"And yours isn't?"
She smiled. "Perhaps so, but I don't tend to make a habit of giving voice to my every thought, only those I truly believe she needs to hear."
He glanced down at the asari justicar, considering. "Not to be rude or anything, but why are you helping Miranda with this? Cerberus didn't really do anything to you."
She raised an eyebrow. "So, I can't pursue an illegal terrorist organization without some personal vendetta against them? Do not confuse my motives for Ms. Lawson's, although our goals, in this case, happen to align."
As always, Samara managed to put him on the defensive. "No, I didn't mean it like that. It just seems that a justicar might have something... well, something more related to asari interests to pursue."
"The foremost pro-human terrorist organization in the galaxy is still at large, along with their leader, and while they do not mind using the asari for entertainment"- her eyes flashed- "rest assured, they would see us under the boot of the humans as much as any other species. I have no love lost for Cerberus."
Garrus nodded. "Fair enough. It just seems that with all the rebuilding and everything the asari will have to do on Thessia, you might be more useful to your species there. I was simply curious, no offense was meant."
She snorted and looked away. "They would rather avail themselves of the services of such ilk as the Shadow Broker, though I will admit that he seems more helpful recently. The planet is awash in politics and backdoor deals at the moment. If I went there, I'd have to kill half of our leaders, I'm sure."
She hesitated, uncertain whether to continue. Then, apparently deciding to trust him, "Besides, Garrus, I really didn't have a strong idea of what to do next. My reasoning for becoming a justicar was to correct the wrong I had inflicted on the galaxy in allowing my daughter to escape. Once that was... done, Shepard's mission to stop the Reapers kept me occupied for the next year, but now that is finished as well. My purpose, my reason, for becoming what I am... it is finished. When Miranda asked me for help in tracking down Cerberus, it was like a message directly from the Goddess. 'Here is your next goal.' So of course I agreed to help her fight them."
He nodded. While he himself did not follow the Spirits as religiously as some Turians, he knew the Asari were different, especially the justicars. And he could hardly fault her for her choice, Cerberus was indeed a great threat still in the galaxy, and probably would be, at least until the Illusive Man had been brought to justice. By which, preferably, he meant a bullet from his sniper rifle between that cretin's eyes. No one tried to kill his Shepard and get away with it. Miranda and Samara's goals seemed to align perfectly with his own for the moment. That vacation they wanted would have to wait.
His thoughts were scattered to the winds by the voice that spoke behind him.
"If you wanted to keep me in the bed, you need to learn to tie better knots."
She spoke right as there was a lull in the shouting match between Miranda and Vraela, so everyone in the cockpit heard her. Garrus turned, facing her, his own features lighting up with relief.
"Shepard! How are you feeling? You took quite a nasty-"
He was cut off by Shepard stepping up to him and delivering a kiss. She pulled back, her eyes sparkling. "I'm fine, big guy. Nothing a bit of rest and relaxation won't cure." She glanced around the cockpit. "So, are we now taking three other people on our vacation? Not that it isn't good to see you, Miranda, Samara"- she started a bit at the sight of a female krogan- "I don't believe I know you."
Vraela bowed, slightly, an expression that took Shepard off-guard. "I am Raik Vraela. It is a great honor to meet you in person, Battlemaster Shepard."
"Um, yes." She glanced over at Garrus, who shrugged. "The honor is all mine, I am sure."
Vraela's voice remained serene, but she shook her head. "No, it is not."
There was an awkward silence as Shepard attempted to figure out what that meant, and then Miranda broke it. "Well, we've docked, and I'm sure you two could use a shower and a change of clothing. There should still be some supplies left back in the kitchen, so we can try to whip up something resembling a meal."
Shepard laughed. "Well, we've definitely fallen down a bit in the galaxy. Where are we, anyhow? This place seems... somewhat familiar."
"It should." Miranda gestured out to the base as the doors of the ship opened. "This was where Project Lazarus took place."
Any mirth in Shepard's expression vanished in an instant. "Ah. Yes."
Garrus noticed the change and laid a talon on her shoulder. "Not exactly happy memories here, I would wager."
She shook her head, her lips tight together.
Miranda stood awkwardly, and headed down the corridor into the kitchen. Vraela decided she needed to stretch... everything, and vanished into the base, although they could still hear her footsteps echoing around the interior.
Samara looked at Garrus, then at Shepard, and decided the two needed to be alone for a few minutes, so she excused herself, mumbling something about helping Miranda.
Shepard took a seat in the nearest chair, staring straight ahead.
Garrus wasn't sure what exactly was troubling her, and gave her time to gather her thoughts before prodding.
"Are you alright, Katelyn?"
She looked up at him, her face twisted into an expression of grief. "The last time I was here... well, not only does it have bad memories because I had just died..." She stared down at her hands, twisting them, obviously unsure of how to continue.
Garrus simply waited her out and finally, she spoke again.
"I just... is it selfish to want some peace and quiet, Garrus? To want the galaxy to turn on its axis without me constantly attending to it? I just want to vanish, Garrus, to head off with you and do some... normal things for a change."
He replied quietly, staring out at the stars. "Of course it's not selfish. I want the same things. But Shepard... as long Cerberus is out there, that may not be possible."
She stared up at him, exhaustion sweeping over her now. "You really think that was them, back on Eden Prime?"
He remembered the salarian, in the bar. "I'm... not sure. I don't have any solid answers right now."
She sat there, and he stood behind her, staring off into the distance.
It seemed they were once again destined to embark on an adventure- but this time, Garrus didn't want to go.
"We are going to take that vacation, Shepard. Maybe later rather than sooner, but we are taking it. I promise you that."