Garrus threw his armor a side as he entered his quarters angrily. He paced around the room smashing everything in sight. He wasn't sure why he felt so enraged but he did. Once he saw Kaiden threaten Shepard the way he did he couldn't stand to sit there and do nothing. He lost his composure. Shepard was the most beautiful person that had ever existed to him and she wasn't even the same species as him. Yet he loved her so much he knew he couldn't risk something happening to her because of a disgruntled team member. He pounded the wall. He didn't want to lose her; however, he couldn't help but feel jealous of what she had been trying to tell Kaiden. Things like, "I couldn't leave you…" That had really made him boil with envy. He threw another punch to the wall. Damnit Shepard…who is it that you love? He threw a last punch and pushed his head against the wall as his hand started to bleed. He walked out of his room angry.

Kaiden, still furious, wasn't sure where to go to let off steam. Painstrucken, he waltz into Ashley's room and picked up the last book she had been reading. He sat down on her bed where they had been together, and stared at the book. Shepard. Ashley. That was all that had been going through his mind. He didn't mean to be so angry with the Commander but he couldn't understand why she had picked him. She had completely ignored his feelings for her and just when he was full of grief Ashley came along to pick up the pieces. Now she was gone. He felt so ashamed for doubting his feelings for Ashley. He really did love her and now he had nothing. Kaiden felt hatred for Shepard. She had left him with nothing to live for. Just then, he heard a knock of his door. He opened it to find Shepard standing there. "How do you know I won't kill you?" he said to her coldly.

"If you did, I wouldn't blame you." He stared into her eyes. Grief had struck them. Kaiden moved aside and let her in.

"How'd you know I was here…?"

"A hunch told me…" He nodded and sat back down on the bed. Shepard walked in and closed the door behind her.

"So what do you want?"

"You know we have to talk, Kaiden…"

"I don't want to talk to you."

"But…I figure I'm the only one you can talk to right now…" Kaiden knew she was right.

"Okay…so talk…"

"Kaiden…I'm sorry…" She said letting her hair down. Kaiden stared at her. This was the first time she had let her guard down for him. She really was beautiful.

"I'm sorry I blew up on you…"

"I understand you were upset…probably still are…I'm sorry for…not letting you love me…" He looked at her surprised.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…I was so quick to reject you like I do everyone else…I didn't give you a chance because I was…afraid."

"Afraid that I hurt you?"

"That I hurt you…which…in the end I still did…I'm so sorry. I'm even sorrier that I can't give you that chance now…" He could see her pain and vulnerability. She was being straight with him. She had felt his pain too. He didn't even think about how making that kind of decision affected her, yet she still remained strong.

"You're in love with someone…aren't you?" She nodded.

"At least I think I am…" He nodded. He already knew who it was. He and Ashley would talk about it constantly when they saw how Garrus looked at her. He took a deep breath.

"I forgive you…for not giving me a chance, Shepard. I…appreciate you…telling me about your feelings. I think maybe…that's all I ever wanted. Just to know how things affected you and how you felt about them. Thank you for telling me."

"Your welcome…I'm…also sorry about Ashley…It was really difficult for me to make that kind of decision. I…knew I didn't want to lose you…Kaiden we've worked together for so long…I trust you with my life…I always have." He took a deep breath and looked away. Shepard walked over and sat beside him on the bed. "I know this is hard for you…it is also difficult for the team. You know we have to finish…we can't let her die for nothing…"

"I know…she wouldn't have wanted that…" Kaiden said softly. "I…just can't believe I lied to her. I told her I would come back…that we would see each other again…"

"You couldn't have possibly known, Kaiden….I couldn't have known either. I would have done anything to not have made that decision. Please don't blame yourself…" He looked at her and noticed how her hair flowed down. She seemed like a different person. Almost as if she was no longer broken.

"I…need some time, Shepard." She nodded.

"I can have…someone bring your things in and you can stay here…" Kaiden nodded.

"Thanks…I don't think I can leave this room…" Shepard and Kaiden both stood up.

"Take some time to yourself…but we'll have to hit Ilos to find Saren…I'll need you then…"

"Yes ma'am…" he replied softly. Shepard was hesitant as to how Kaiden would react but she took a bold step towards him, threw her arms around him, and hugged him tightly. Surprised by her action he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist. He could feel tears swell up in his eyes and slowly start to trickle down his cheek. She pulled back and kissed his cheek wiping the tears. They had never experienced this emotional moment together. She rubbed his shoulders a bit and stared at him.

"We will talk soon okay? I'll come back to check on you later…" Kaiden nodded and watched as she slowly left and closed the door behind her. He laid down on the bed, staring at the empty space next to him.

Shepard took a deep breath as she walked away from the room. She was glad that she was able to calm him down from his fury episode. This entire mission had just been one emotional roller coaster. As she headed towards her quarters, she saw Garrus's room. She needed to talk to him as well but it would have to wait. The last mission had drained her completely. She walked into her room and began to take off her armor and gear when she heard someone speak behind her. "Did you talk to Kaiden?" Shepard turned around to find Garrus leaning against her wall looking away from her.

"Garrus? What are you doing here?"

"Did you speak to him?" Shepard could sense his hostility towards her. She wasn't sure why but she figured it had something to do with Kaiden.

"Yeah…he calmed down…he should be alright from now on. He just needs some time."

"I think you should have punished him for pulling that stunt." She looked at him.

"For what? He's grieving, Garrus…we all just lost Ashley."

"He pulled a gun on you, Shepard, he could have hurt you. Is it his job description that he gets to do as he pleases on account he's grieving?" She shot him a look.

"I suppose that would mean I punish you for moving in front of me without my consent." She said hating to pull rank on him. She took off her top gear leaving a tight tank top on. He quickly grabbed her arms.

"I was trying to keep you safe from him!" he said angrily.

"I didn't need your help, Garrus. Kaiden has every right to hate me right now, I just killed Ashley!" They stayed silent. Tears swelled up in Shepard's eyes. She did her best to fight them off. She roughly moved his arms away from her. Garrus stared at the woman he loved.

"Why did you save him? Is it because you have feelings for him?" Shepard stared at him a bit angry. She didn't know why he was upset at her. He was hiding something. She suddenly noticed she was half-dressed.

"Do you mind if I finish getting dressed?" Garrus turned around facing the wall whiled she changed into her colonist outfit she wore on the ship to relax. "Does it matter?" She said to push his buttons. Garrus scoffed.

"I'm curious to know why you defend him so much…"

"I've known him longer than you, Garrus,…" Garrus was just ready to jump out of his skin. He didn't want her to love anyone else but him.

"So…you do have feelings for him?"

"I have…a certain kind of feeling…" She said noticing how upset he was. She finally got him. He was jealous of Kaiden because of his feelings for her. She smiled a bit. Garrus really loved her. He had the same feelings she had been feeling for him. She finished getting dressed.

"Is that right?" She tapped his should to let him know she was done. She nodded.

"Yes…we've been friends a long time…" Garrus felt so ashamed in believing she loved him.

"Excuse me, Shepard…Commander…I have to go…" Just as he turned, she grabbed his arm and laid her head on his arm. Garrus stared at her.

"Stay with me…" She said lastly. At this point Garrus felt confused. She saw his expression. "Garrus…Kaiden and I are just friends….maybe less than that…" Garrus took a breath as she pulled him onto her bed. She laid down on her side while Garrus sat beside her. The bed felt comfortable. He had never really slept in or laid on it that much at all. Shepard pulled herself to sit and lean on Garrus closing her eyes. He finally realized that she had been messing with his jealously and he sighed deeply.

"Shepard…"

"Yes?" She said yawning.

"I…I like you…a lot…" He stiffened until she answered.

"I like you too, Garrus,…a lot."

"I won't or could ever let anything happen to you, Shepard…"

"I know, Garrus…" She snuggled closer to him and started to drift off to sleep. "Garrus….?"

"Yea…?" He said feeling exhausted himself. He started to relax and enjoy her company with him. It had been a long time since anyone had slept next to him. Even those times had been impersonal. Shepard was different. He loved her with every fiber of his being. He felt nervous being so close to her but he didn't want to leave.

"Don't go anywhere okay? Just stay with me…." She said softly as a few tears rolled down her cheek. He could sense she was still in pain of losing Ashley.

"I won't…there's no where else I'd rather be…" he said to her nervously.

"Thank you,…Garrus…I killed her…" She said choking up a bit. He moved in closer.

"You didn't. You saved us…and stopped Saren from taking advantage of the Krogan." He lifted her chin and gently wiped her tears. "And you are going to stop Saren from killing us all…" She sniffed and laid her head back on him falling asleep. Garrus sighed and closed his eyes as well. The woman he loved so much had finally returned his feelings and she was leaning on him. There wasn't anything else he wanted more than to be with her.

Hey this chapter is a bit short but I really wanted to get through the emotions. I always thought of the game as an emotional roller coaster for everything that had happened and its still my favorite game :D Still more turmoil to come when we get into the things that happened in ME 2. Oooooooooooo. So keep reading and reviewing and ill keep writing. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews Im so glad you guys are reading my story. I'm really proud of it. Thank you :D