Chapter 4 - Garrus: Hope
"Come," she says, expecting more of Miranda's briefings.
She is stepping out of the shower when Garrus enters. She blinks the water from her eyes, takes in the turian – wearing civilian clothes! – and the bottle of wine he is holding.
"Garrus?" she says.
"Hey," he says, looking awkward. "I brought wine. Best I could afford on a vigilante's salary."
Despite herself, she has to smile. He crosses the floor to the room controls, turns on her music, and stands awkwardly near the empty fishtank.
"I'd know what to do if you were turian," he says, "I'd be complimenting you on your waist or your fringe. So… uh, your hair looks.. good. And your waist is… very supportive."
Shepard smiles, shakes her head.
"What are you doing, Garrus?" she says, and she can't quite keep the laugh out of her voice.
"That's not offensive in human culture, is it? Crap. I knew I should have watched the vids…"
"What are you doing here, Garrus?" She leans over, turns the music off.
In the silence, Garrus suddenly seems very, very fragile. His shoulders slump, and he looks down as he speaks.
"It's just… these might be our last few hours, Shepard. And I couldn't let them go by without trying to say- If we survive, Shepard. If we make it through-''
His nerve seems to fail him, and Shepard is more confused than ever.
"What are you trying to say?" her tone is gentle.
"It's just… I've seen so many things go wrong, Shepard. My work at C-Sec, what happened with Sidonis…" He looks up at her, and his eyes are open, appealing. "I just want something to go right…"
"Garrus?" she says wonderingly. She steps forward, wondering if he's saying what she thinks – hopes? – he's saying. Her heart is pounding in her chest.
He looks down into her eyes.
"I've already lost you once," he says. "I couldn't let it happen again without telling you…''
"Garrus," she says, and impulsively reaches up to touch the scar that mars the side of his face.
"Shepard," his blue eyes are burning into hers, and she incongruously notices that his visor, for once, is missing. "I need to say- If we make it through-'' He makes a small noise in the back of his throat, a sound of frustration. "Shepard, I'm trying to say… I don't want to be without you again." He looks away.
She smiles, her heart leaping inside her chest. "Garrus, I feel the same." He turns blue eyes back to her. "God, I feel the same." And he lowers his forehead down to gently touch hers, his hand on her shoulder.
Author's Note: This 4-part story was inspired by the LJ community me_challenge random word prompt 'Patience'. I don't own any of the characters. Please read and review! :)