The squad was ready to crawl back into bed at the slightest sign from Garrus. Mierin looked heartbroken when he came into the room in full armor.
"Careful, Garrus. It looks like they'll mutiny if you try to make them work." Shepard closed her hand around his wrist. "Shouldn't have let them sit around for a week." Through some weird emotional alchemy, Shepard had decided to transmute her anger into being a smart-ass. Garrus almost preferred her pissed-off.
"Look at you," he said to the squad. "I don't think I've seen anyone look more pathetic. It's like you had your break taken away."
"Screw you," Weaver said cheerfully. She huddled over a steaming mug of coffee. "Boss."
A low wave of laughter moved through the squad, but when Garrus held up a hand, everyone went quiet.
"Show-off," said Shepard. She sat down on a crate with her back against the wall. Garrus felt her gaze on the back of his head.
"I hope you all enjoyed the break," he said. "Because it's back to work, and don't think for a second it's going to get any easier. The mercs are mad now, and that's just the trouble next door."
"What do we have on deck, boss?" Sensat leaned forward. "Hitting Eclipse again?"
"Depends on how bad they've been." Garrus nodded at Weaver. She dug under her leg for a datapad, then cleared her throat.
"Eclipse is laying low - taking out their mechs was a big deal, and please tell me you're gonna let me know how it happened, it's almost my birthday - and it's just the usual bullshit from the Blood Pack. Garm's making noises again about pushing out Aria, but even he's not stupid enough to actually try it. Blue Suns made a move on one of the clinics in the Gozu district, but the salarian in charge wiped out the scouting parties." She tossed the datapad on the table. "All quiet on the merc front."
Vortash snorted. "All that noise about how no system can keep you out, and that's all you have for us? I could have just walked into Afterlife and figured it all out."
"He has a point, Weaver," said Garrus. "Anything else?"
"That's just the merc news. Do you really think I'd show up with nothing else?" Weaver wrinkled her nose at Vortash. "I find your lack of faith... disturbing."
All the humans, Shepard included, started to laugh. The non-humans traded indulgent looks. Oh, our humans are being weird again.
"Since the merc channels were so boring, I did a couple sweeps through the off-station comm logs. Nothing too interesting - well, Udina's on Omega, getting his fill of slumming it for the month - until yesterday, when I found this." She pulled another datapad from under her leg and handed it to Garrus. While he read, Weaver turned to the rest of the squad.
"C-Sec's been trying to track down an independent krogan slaver for three years. He deals mostly in children, stolen from Terminus colonies, but lately he's been dipping into Citadel space too. He funnels them through the wards before selling them off. Kron Harga's his name. And the terrifying icing on this nightmare cupcake is that he's rumored to be a krogan biotic." Sensat groaned with a fist pressed to his mouth.
"The biotic thing isn't true," said Ripper. Grundal nodded. "But he's vicious enough as-is. Half the slaves don't make it to the Citadel. And the ones that do? Jesus." He shook his head.
"They're better off dead," Grundal muttered. "Slavery is salvation compared to what he does to them."
Garrus's hands tightened on the edge of the datapad. "He's here," he said. "On Omega. About to head out to hit another colony."
This was why Garrus come to Omega. No red tape to hold him back, no regulations to stifle his creativity. Sooner or later, every criminal who'd ever slipped past him at C-Sec would wash up on Omega, and his finger would already be on the trigger.
Archangel would be ready. They would be ready.
"Listen up!" The squad's eyes snapped to him. "Kron's going to have back-up, but they're nothing to worry about. Mostly mechs and vorcha. Kron himself? He survived a full-on C-Sec raid, and took out twenty-three officers before they lost him in the wards."
"Good thing we're not C-Sec," said Monteague. He cracked his knuckles. "What's our plan, boss?"
"Yeah, boss," said Shepard. "What's our plan?"
He chose Sensat and Ripper for his squad, and Butler, Vortash, and Sidonis for the second. Monteague would come as support. He would hang back and patch up whichever squad wasn't directly engaged with Kron.
"He regenerates like any other krogan, but he moves faster than most. The important thing is to keep him at a distance so he can't charge while we take down his shields."
"You don't want us, boss?" Melanis picked at the remains of her breakfast. "Singularity could be useful."
"I'm more concerned with his shields. Once they're down, we can wear him out." Melanis gave Garrus a steady look. He knew she needed more time before she was in top shape again, and she knew it too, but he wouldn't say it in front of the squad. "You're on home duty with Grundal." The batarian tried not to look overjoyed and failed. "Erash, you're in charge of the back-up squad. You'll wait in D block until my word. Hopefully we won't need creative firepower, but if you've got any surprises, get them ready." Erash and Weaver slid out of their seats and bent over Weaver's workbench, sorting through piles of tech. Erash picked out a small sphere that glinted wickedly in the overhead lights, and Weaver nodded eagerly.
"I don't think I want to know," said Shepard, watching them. "Do you want me with you, Garrus?"
The answer was yes, always, but after last night, the question was even more loaded. There was more between them now than a common fight - a more they hadn't yet discussed or defined. Worrying about Shepard was only a disadvantage.
"I'll watch the perimeter and point out strays," she said. "No physical contact, not even if I'm in your immediate vicinity. I can move faster than anyone you've got, and a few seconds' warning could be the only advantage you get."
Garrus sighed. "Fine," he murmured. "No heroics, or you're off the squad."
"Got it, boss." Shepard grinned. "Ready when you are."
Erash and Weaver weren't the only ones with a creative streak. As Garrus stood over what was left of Kron Harga, Shepard sidled up to him and let out a low whistle.
"I know krogan are tough to kill but...wow, Garrus. Just wow."
The rest of the squad were sweeping the warehouse, and out of earshot.
"The crate full of explosives was pure luck," he said. "Thanks for finding it, by the way."
"I live to serve. Let me make sure I've got it right. You shot him in all his extremities and primary organs."
"In alphabetical order."
"Then you and Ripper took turns smashing your rifle butts in his face."
"Who am I to hog all the fun?"
"Then yours truly pointed out the explosive crate, the second squad got him into position, and whatever you didn't shoot got burned to a crisp."
"I think that covers it. Couldn't have done it without you."
Shepard poked Kron Harga's body with the toe of her boot. "I think you need a hobby, Garrus. Maybe painting."
"Oi boss!" Butler waved at him from across the warehouse. "Found his personal datapads. They're encrypted, but I don't think our wee Weaver'll have much trouble."
"You could write haiku. Or sonnets." Shepard winked at him.
"Good work, Butler. Tell Weaver decrypting them is her top priority, and once it's finished, I want an anonymous copy sent to C-Sec and the Alliance. If Kron Harga kept records of what colonies he hit, they might be able to help close some missing persons cases."
"Right-o." Butler stashed the datapads in a pocket and went on with his sweep.
"Baking," said Shepard. "You could have your own extranet show."
He let out an exasperated subvocal that couldn't be defined in human terms. Most humans wouldn't have been able to hear it, but Shepard caught the tail end of it and frowned up at him.
"I'm sure I'm missing the finer details, but that was something rude, wasn't it?"
He lifted his brow plates and didn't answer.
"We're all clear, boss." Sidonis started jogging back to Garrus. "Picked up some extra medi-gels and mods."
"Found an arseload of credits stashed all over the place," Butler shouted. "Jesus, krogans really are hoarders, aren't they?"
Garrus nodded, waiting until the rest of the squad joined him. Shepard crowded close and he tried to ignore the bubble of warmth expanding in his chest.
If this was the rest of his life, he wouldn't complain. He had a good squad, a good gun, a good fight.
He had Shepard.
Things were a bit of a blur after that. The squad split up to take their separate ways back to base, and by the time Garrus arrived, Butler was already into the ryncol, and had reached a decibel level to match.
"What a bastard. Didn't even wait for the boss to get back before he started the party," said Shepard, and Garrus had enough time to start laughing before almost seven feet of scarred, shouting human was bearing down on him like a dreadnought.
"Boss!" he roared. "Boss, tonight, we drink on Kron Harga's dime! Get outta yer suit, we're goin' to Afterlife." Behind Butler, Sensat beamed. Fuck yeah,he mouthed.
Erash and Sidonis pounded him on the back, shouting unintelligibly. Melanis shoved a mug of ryncol at him. Somewhere nearby, Weaver was yelling at someone that she was totally old enough to drink, dickwipe, I'm not staying here and Vortash had an arm slung around Mierin's shoulders, completely failing at hiding his joy.
A great hot swell of pride and love washed through Garrus. Ten months into the fight, and it wouldn't end any time soon. But tonight was the first time they all saw the end - when they could walk away from Omega knowing that they'd not just done their best, but won.
Afterlife was packed. It smelled like sweat and old booze and somewhere, deep down under all of it, like the tang of blood.
Garrus hung back with Shepard, marking exits and good cover out of habit. Butler and Sidonis bulldozed their way to the bar, throwing down credit chits and yelling drink orders. The bartender's gaze flicked above their heads.
"No charge," he said. "You guys drink for free tonight. Aria's orders."
Butler whooped and pointed at a bottle of something thick and poisonously orange. Garrus turned slowly, once the rest of his squad was distracted, and looked up at Aria's balcony.
The asari was watching him. Their gazes met, and Aria lifted her glass to him without changing her expression. A second later, his omni-tool beeped.
Nice show. Make sure your ambition doesn't outlast your entertainment value. I have a short attention span.
"That's not creepy," said Shepard, standing on tiptoes to read over his shoulders.
Of course Aria knew, and of course Aria wouldn't do more than warn him. He'd left her concerns alone, and as long as he did, she'd just watch.
Sensat handed him a glass of something murky and sweet-smelling. Garrus lifted the glass to Aria. She barely glanced at him before she turned away.
Garrus stayed for three rounds, long enough to see Sidonis collapse on a couch after trying to match shots with Butler. Guilt over leaving Ripper and Weaver behind on home duty gnawed at him, but the real teeth belonged to the looks Shepard gave him whenever he took a drink: sly, secretive, and all his.
He stood up. A chorus of boos from the squad greeted him and four new glasses were shoved in his direction. None of them were dextro-friendly, but the message was clear: stay, stay, stay, stay.
"If I don't leave, how can the real party start?" he said, evading Melanis as she tried to catch his arm. "Consider this my gift to all of you."
"Boss!" whined Mierin. "We haven't gotten you your lapdance yet!"
Shepard burst out laughing. "Oh my god, Garrus, your face. We can't leave. I have to see this."
"Aah, no. Just... no." Garrus wasn't sure who he was responding to. "I appreciate the... obvious thought that went into - wait, no, I don't. No. I'm leaving."
Melanis grabbed for his arm again and ended up tumbling over a half-conscious Vortash. "Boss!" she yelled. "Asari are very flexible. Do you understand?"
"Oh, I understand, I just. I can't. There are... things."
"I was right!" crowed Mierin. "Secret wife! Or husband! Pay up!" Grundal and Erash reached into their pockets, grumbling. Mierin cooed as she counted her winnings.
"Last time I bet against an asari," sighed Erash.
"Damn right," chorused the sisters.
Shepard, damn her, was laughing so hard she could barely stand. "These people," she gasped, "are amazing. Where did you find them? I thought the Normandy's collection of daddy issues was impressive but this? This is art."
"Make sure everyone makes it home," Garrus growled at the sisters, who were the only two left who looked completely sober. "Got me? We're back to business at 0700 tomorrow."
"We get you," said Mierin, her eyes still on the credits in her cupped palms. "See you in the morning, boss."
Garrus stalked out, neck flaming hot. Still giggling, Shepard trailed behind him. Once they were away from the noise and the lights near Omega, in the darker alleys of the districts, Garrus grabbed Shepard by the shoulders and pushed her into a wall.
"I'm happy you're happy, but could you at least pretend you don't enjoy seeing me embarrassed?"
She wriggled in his grip. "Oh come on, Garrus. They're just looking out for you. Well, for partof you."
"Shepard."
"Does being on your squad mean I can't laugh at you? Let me tell you, that's a dealbreaker." Shepard gripped his wrists and squeezed. "Consider this payback for all the Mako jokes."
"You deserved every one, Shepard. I still have bruises on my ass from your driving."
Shepard ran her hand up his arm. "And you never begged off a mission if I pulled you. Maybe you're a just a glutton for punishment."
"Maybe you're just a sadist who enjoys torturing non-humans."
"Just one," she said. Her hand curled around the back of his neck and stroked once, under the clasp of his visor. Her grin turned wicked when he shuddered and let her go.
"Weren't we going home?" she asked, all innocence. "You had important boss things to do, right? Like cleaning your gun?" Her fingers skidded low over the skin of his neck.
Damn her. She knows exactly what she's doing.
She tilted her head and bared the side of her neck to the weak light. To my teeth, Garrus thought, and banished the idea as quickly as he could. He couldn't stop a groan when her hand slid under his jaw.
"I can't exactly think when you do that," he said, only one larynx working. Was it too soon? Should he even bother questioning this?
Laughing, Shepard leaned in close enough to kiss. She stopped a few centimeters away from his mouth. "It's not my fault you're so easily distracted." When she stepped away, he stumbled.
"Race you," she hissed, and took off down the alley. By the time Garrus got his feet moving, Shepard was already out of sight.
Ripper nodded sleepily at Garrus as he came in. Weaver was asleep on the couch, a frown still nicking the skin between her eyebrows.
"She told me to wake her up when you got home so she could yell at you," said Ripper. "But I think I'll just tell her you came in the back door."
"Thanks, Ripper. Listen, I'll be awake for a while. Go find your boyfriend."
Ripper saluted him. "Don't have to tell me twice. Good night, boss." After he was gone, Garrus threw a blanket over Weaver and turned down the lights in the common room.
Shepard was cross-legged on his bed. Her boots were off. Garrus stared.
"What?" she asked. He pointed wordlessly at her feet.
"Do my toes freak you out?"
"You took your boots off." Iit was a stupid thing to fixate on, when Shepard was in the nest of his covers, but there were implications here. He hadn't thought of her clothes as anything more than a part of whatever she was, but now.
"Yeah, I did." She cocked her head at him again. "Point?"
"I didn't think you could do that. Change what you look like. I don't know!"
"Oh my god, it's not like I took my shirt off."
And just like that, the implications were images. "You can do that too?"
"Right to business, huh? I've been back all of twenty-four hours and you're already trying to get into my pants."
"No! No!" Garrus threw up his hands. "It's not that! I just - why are you laughing?"
"I'm going to sprain something trying not to tease you." Shepard pushed off the bed and walked toward him. He kept his hands up, but when she pulled them down her face was serious. "Garrus, I've got to ask. You've done this before, right?"
"Done what?"
"You're going to make me say it, dammit." She chewed her lip. "You've had - girlfriends before? Or the turian equivalent? Please tell me your first experience with sex isn't going to be with a ghost. Because that would be the saddest thing I've ever heard."
"I've had sex before," he hissed. "There were a few in training, and then this recon scout, and once, on Illium -"
"Whoa whoa whoa! I believe you!" It was Shepard's turn to throw up her hands and take a step back. "Why can't anything ever be easy?" she said, half to herself. "Okay, ground rule number one: If your ex-human girlfriend asks about your previous relationships, mention one or two at most, and never give details. It's not a numbers game."
"O-okay." He couldn't remember the last time he felt so badly unprepared for a conversation. Hadn't they been talking about boots a few seconds ago? "Wait, girlfriend? Shepard, I -"
"Hey. Look at me." Shepard put her hands on his face, her thumbs moving in slow circles over his mandibles. "I'm sorry if I weirded you out. I'm jumping ahead. I'm used to falling into bed with someone and figuring the rest out later if the sex is good." She cringed. "Ugh, too much information?"
"No, I'm used to full disclosure." Not to mention turians don't have all these territorial mating instincts over the past.
"Good to know." She kept touching his face, and the tension building in his back started to dissolve. "So do you?" she said. "Want this, I mean. When I came back last night, things were intense. Not that you've had much time to think it over. And I'm going to shut up now."
It was reassuring that nervous talking existed across the species line. Whatever they had started, Shepard was just as thrown by it as he was. Garrus cupped her face, tracing the scars at her eye and mouth.
"I never let myself think about it before you found me here, but yeah, I want it." She leaned into his touch. "Besides, if you have to spend your afterlife with me, might as well get a few perks out of it, right?"
"Don't get cocky, I haven't gotten to try these perks out." She kissed his cheek. "Look, we'll take this as slow as you want. The last thing I want is to push you and get you all distracted. You've got enough on your mind."
"You had to go and remind me," he groaned. "I'm on patrol in four hours."
"Then go to bed," she said. "I'll stare at you while you sleep."
When Garrus laughed, it felt like the first time in years.
"I'm not speaking to you," said Weaver the next morning. "Just so we're clear."
"Good morning to you too, Weaver." Garrus brushed past her on his way to grab rations.
"Strippers, boss. Strippers! And you made me stay home. God, you're not my dad."
"I give daily thanks for that. I want a report on any comm chatter you picked up before we head out." As much as Weaver liked whining, she never complained about her actual job. She gave him a nod and finished off her coffee in one gulp.
"I hope I wasn't that bad when I was her age," Shepard mused. "I don't know about turians, but eighteen-year-old humans are a special breed of monster."
"Teenagers are monsters, no matter the species. Maybe Sovereign was just hitting Reaper puberty."
"Still talking to yourself?" Sidonis bit off the end of a ration bar and chewed while he talked. He looked wrecked, but wrecked was better than what Garrus had expected after a night of drinking with Butler. He hadn't expected Sidonis to be able to talk.
"Still," Garrus said agreeably, turning away to avoid watching Sidonis eat. Most of the squad lacked sophisticated manners, but Sidonis was the worst. "Can't seem to stop."
"You could use that," suggested Sidonis. "Let the mercs overhear you. They'll think you're crazy."
"Why haven't you thought of that?" Shepard leaned against the wall and quirked an eyebrow at Garrus. "You just came to Omega and started fighting mercs on your own. Nothing crazy about that."
"Shut up," said Garrus, not sure who he was talking to. Shepard rolled her eyes. Sidonis laughed.
"Just like that. When in doubt, freak 'em out."
"Sidonis, shut up." He walked away, leaving Sidonis to chuckle to himself. The rest of the squad straggled in, looking half-dead and searching for painkillers. Butler looked like he'd had ten hours of sleep instead of two.
"I want him to meet Wrex someday," said Shepard. "No, actually, I don't. Forget I said that. Lifetime of brain damage talking."
Garrus nodded at Weaver to start her report. Halfway through the rundown, Shepard let her hand curve around his neck, cool and solid.
As always, thank you to my lovely beta, and to you, my wonderful readers!
