This is a fairly short chapter following up to Kaiden's reaction to stumbling in on Garrus and Liara. It's mostly again trying to get into the character's heads, but there is some progress with the main story.

It's not the last you'll see of Kaiden! I have a love/hate relationship with him, so I do want to keep him around for later :p I also took the chance to add a bit more push towards the Javik x Liara ship ;].

The few messages and reviews that I've gotten have made me absolutely ecstatic. Thanks again for taking the time to read the story, and a double-thank-you for those who took the time to write to me about it!

Enjoy!


Liara and Garrus fidgeted restlessly as they waited for the elevator to return. They both wanted to discuss what happened during the meld, but as captain of the Normandy, Garrus had to make sure Kaiden wasn't going to stir up trouble with the crew after what he saw.

"EDI," Garrus called, and the intercom blipped, "Where did Kaiden go?" The elevator doors opened and he stepped in with Liara.

EDI's voice quickly responded, "Kaiden has arrived on the crew deck, Captain." Garrus punched the crew deck button and the doors swished closed. He pushed it a few more times on their way down as if it would make it go faster.

Garrus and Liara stepped out onto the crew deck. They didn't have to go far to find Kaiden. He was standing before the plaque they had added Shepard's name to only the morning before last.

Garrus took a step towards Kaiden; Liara stayed by the elevator. The port observation door was open, and the crew members that were off-shift were rowdy with laughter, and had not noticed Kaiden or the other two.

"Kaiden," Garrus started, and the Major shot him a poisonous look. Garrus didn't falter; he wouldn't be where he was today if nasty looks could make him curl up like a pyjak during purge season on Tuchanka. "Major, what gave you the right to enter my quarters without announcement or permission?"

It was obvious Kaiden wasn't expecting this; he assumed Garrus would begin with apologies, or attempts to explain his actions. He bristled, "My apologies, Captain. I didn't realize turians needed a only a few days time to move onto their next conquest."

At this point the residents of the port observation had turned down the music and were now observing the ruckus in the hallway. Tali had a drink in hand, straw fitted securely into her mask. Vega was quietly shuffling a deck of cards; his eyes on Garrus and Kaiden.

Joker stepped out of the crew quarters, hair ruffled and groggily rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He saw the gathering of crew members with drinks in hand and perked up a bit, "Ooh! Tell me someone made nachos. Oh." He had noticed the stand-off between Garrus and Kaiden, shifted his eyes between the two, and stepped into the crowd, hiding himself from view.

Garrus did not break his stare from Kaiden; faltering eye-contact would be what he considered an act of guilt and weakness. "Captain or not, Kaiden, I do not have to explain myself to you."

Kaiden took a step towards Garrus, flaring his biotic field for effect. It had a green hue now, instead of blue; an obvious visual side effect of the Synthesis. Garrus was taller than Kaiden however, and stood his ground. Garrus only lowered his eyes to meet Kaiden's; making a point not to lower his head. He was not intimidated.

The Major crossed his arms, "Easy for you to say, Captain. Did the new promotion get your blood pumping? Is that why you needed to invite the asari - Shepard's friend to your quarters?"

The crowd of crewmembers in the corridor shifted uncomfortably. It may not have been their business, but they were hooked on every word, nonetheless. They knew better than to judge the situation based off of what they were hearing, however, and listened on intently.

Garrus's mandibles clacked with impatience, "You're assuming too much, Kaiden. And even if I were cavorting with Liara, it would be none of your damned business. You do not burst into a Captain's cabin unannounced. The war may be over, Alenko, but this ship still has structure and rules. You should know better than to make a scene like this."

Kaiden scoffed, "Apologies for my insubordination! By the way, where did you learn how to kiss? That's not a turian custom, I hear. Did Shepard teach you that? Couldn't wait to try it on Liara now that Shepard is gone?"

"STAND DOWN, MAJOR," Garrus growled, his mandibles twitching. Kaiden seemed to shrink back only slightly before he caught himself and puffed out his chest. Garrus thought he was acting like a juvenile.

Liara looked mortified, and the present crew members gasped. There may have been some unavoidable judgement at this time. It took all of Garrus's willpower not to strike Kaiden's pretty face. Garrus only stood up straighter. He did not care what Kaiden thought, but had no choice but to explain to the crew. Tali now had only the straw hanging from of her mask, as she lowered her drink in bewilderment.

Garrus turned only his head to the crowd; he kept his body straight and firm towards Kaiden. "Liara and I were melding, yes. If it were a romantic endeavor, again, it would be no ones business but ours. But it was not romantic. We've developed a theory that involves contacting Commander Shepard through some sort of telepathy."

The crew said nothing; they simply awaited further explanation with looks of confusion. Kaiden however, did not seem convinced. "Oh come on, Garrus. You're going to lie about it now? You were kissing."

Garrus closed his eyes in frustration. He opened them again and began to explain, " After the Crucible was activated, Liara and I found we shared similar dreams of Shepard. Very, very similar, specific dreams. We became suspicious as to whether she was really dead, or somehow transported somewhere else after activating the Crucible. Liara suggested a meld may amplify the connection to Shepard, and by some miracle, it did. She acted as a conduit to allow myself a short conversation with Shepard…" Garrus's mouth went dry recalling the interaction. The crowd, even Kaiden stared at Garrus in bewilderment; his biotics subsided.

"It sounds far-fetched, I know," Garrus continued through the tense silence, "But when I found Shepard, I knew she was really there. We were able to speak to each other...even touch, but time was short. Then Major Alenko arrived," He gestured to Kaiden, "I'll let you deduce rest as to why you saw what you saw."

Not a word was spoken for moments after that. Garrus felt the stares burning into his side. Kaiden didn't seem to know what to think, but there was a look of hope on his face; as if he wanted to believe.

The elevator doors opened behind them, "What they say is true." Javik stepped out, glancing lazily from the group in the corridor, to Kaiden. "I suggested the meld, and that it may amplify a connection to the Commander. It was a theory built on Prothean myth and asari-turian optimism. The turian captain and Liara executed the trial with success. I admit it was not something I anticipated on the first try." He stepped over to Liara, his gaze seemed to soften when looking at her, "but this particular asari seems to have a knack for finding her strengths on the first try."

Liara blushed with pride. Garrus was positive pride wasn't the only reason she was grinning, though.

Tali cleared her throat, and pulled the dangling straw from her mask, "So if Shepard is out there somewhere...we can find her? We can bring her back to us?"

Garrus had to choose his words wisely. He did not want to create false hope, though every fiber in him burned in belief that he would find Shepard. "We don't know much yet, Tali. I wasn't able to find out where Shepard is, besides the fact that it's a very long ways away. When we get back to the Citadel, Liara will be launching an investigation to find out more about the Crucible, and what potentially happened to Shepard during the activation. If we can dig into the Crucible's past, then it may point us towards Shepard."

Surprisingly, the crew seemed to be nodding with conviction; even determination. Vega spoke up, first. "Well if she's out there, we're going to find her. Not one of us would be here without the Commander. Earth...the entire galaxy would be in ruins. When we get to the Citadel, you tell us when to meet back at the Normandy. You're not doing this investigation alone."

Vega gave Garrus a sturdy salute. The other crew members followed. Garrus' chest stretched in appreciation; he was not expecting the entire crew to be on board with following a whim. But this was Shepard. She's stretched her neck out a thousand times for countless people. It was their turn to return the favor.

The crew members started to disperse and get ready for bed. Kaiden stepped over to Garrus. "Look, I apologize, alright? It's just...I couldn't believe you moved so quickly from Shepard. Even if it were some sort of rebound consolidation deal or something...But as you said; it was nothing. Yeah it wasn't any of my business, but I'm a little messed up from the war and losing Shepard. Once we find more information on where she is, we can start making preparations to find her."

Garrus went ridgid, and locked eyes with Kaiden, "No, Major. Not you."

Kaiden was taken off guard, and let out a small laugh, as if it were a joke. "What are you saying, Garrus?"

Garrus blinked and sighed. He turned his tone militant, "We will be investigating the whereabouts of Commander Shepard, but you will not be joining us." He turned with Liara and Javik, and stepped into the elevator together, looking back at Alenko.

Kaiden looked crushed, "Sir?"

Garrus shook his head, "I'm sorry, Kaiden. I won't tolerate insubordination on this ship. If you can't trust me, and if you can't follow rules, then I have no use for you in this investigation. You're confined to the crew deck for the remainder of the flight. If you require urgent assistance, please hail EDI or Traynor, and they will relay any messages to me.

The elevator doors closed, leaving Kaiden in the corridor looking stunned.

Once the doors were sealed shut, Garrus let out a deep exhale. Liara looked at him in concern, "You handled that well, Garrus. Shepard would be proud."

Garrus flashed Liara a thankful grin. "How did Shepard deal with this bullshit on a daily basis without losing it?"

It was Liara's turn to sigh heavily, "Hell if I know, Vakarian."