Chapter 9: Prosthetic Love

Garrus and Jane woke up in each other's arms.

It was a new year and they were just lying in bed holding each other, not wanting to let go.

Garrus had realized he loved Jane when she said she was leaving. It had come on so suddenly, he hardly knew what he was doing. Then next thing he knew he was holding her hands, then kissing her, then making love to her.

He felt like he did the first morning he did when he woke with her on him last week. He was protecting her.

Both knew it was time to get up and face their problems. They had spent enough time in heaven, now it was time to come back down to earth.

Shepard led Garrus to the shower and then they dressed and went down for some much needed breakfast.

They ate in silence and didn't speak until they sat on the couch.

"I'm still taking the job." Jane said after a while.

"Why? After the past night and day, you still want to leave? To get a divorce?" Jane nodded.

"What the fuck Jane? I just made love to you! You know I loveyou, and you still want to leave?" Garrus said loudly.

Jane bit her lip. "I already gave Anderson my answer. The papers will arrive in a day or so, and I'll be leaving tomorrow." Said Jane. Garrus huffed.

"Jane, you're really breaking my heart right now." He said. Tears flooded her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
"You say you want to stay, but I don't think you really do. If you did, you wouldn't be going." Garrus said.

Jane didn't answer. Garrus shook his head slowly then shrugged. "Fine. If your choice is to leave then just fine. Let's just…Stay together for now." He said. Jane nodded and they cuddled.

They parted the next day, their hearts slowly breaking as they walked away from each other.

A Few Months Later

Vakarian

Garrus had received the divorce papers and was now at his desk wondering whether or not to sign them.

He missed Jane with a thousand heart beats and felt useless without her. But she wanted to leave, to join her military. And he had to respect that.

He held the pen in his hand, then automatically signed his name and sent them out.

He returned to their old apartment. He was going to sell it once he got another place, he couldn't stay there. It brought back too many memories.

He was sitting on the couch when he heard a knock on the door. When he answered it he was genuinely surprised to see his father standing there. He invited him in and he went back to his place on the couch.

His father said nothing, just stood there staring at his son.

"You fell in love with her didn't you."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

Garrus nodded and his father sighed. "I figured this would happen." He said. Garrus looked up at his father.
"Really? Why didn't you stop it? You would sure as hell be sparing me the heartache at losing her if you had." Said Garrus.
"I'm sorry; maybe I should've stopped it. At least you now know what it is like to love a woman." His father said. "It's okay dad. I don't regret it. And I don't blame you; you just wanted everyone to be at peace." Garrus said.

"Why'd you come by anyway?" Garrus asked.

"I have a case I want you to look into. It's about Seren…"

Shepard

Jane received had the papers from Garrus an hour ago, and had gone to the shooting range to vent out.
It was done. They weren't married anymore. They'd both made their choices and walked away.

She shot the dummy in the head with her rifle and let out a sigh.

"I thought I'd find you here." Said a voice from behind her. She turned and saw Anderson in the doorway.

"Something you need, sir?"

"No. Just came to check on you." He replied

"I'm fine, how about you?" Jane said.

"Are you eating?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Are you sleeping?"

"A little."

"Are you in love with him?" He asked.

"Yes." She replied without thinking.

She sighed heavily and put her weapon down.

"I thought as much. I could see signs that day when I visited you in the gym." Said Anderson.

"Can't believe I made it so fucking obvious." She meant it to sound sarcastic, but it came out bitter.

"Was there something you needed, sir?" Jane asked.

"Yes. I want you to check on things in the cockpit." Anderson said. "We're about to jump."

"Aye aye sir." Jane said and headed that way still dressed in armor.

A Few Days Later…

"I'm telling you sir, there's something not right about Saren!" Cried Garrus. His superior eyed him. "If you just gave me a little more time to-" He was cut off. "Drop it Vakarian." And the boss walked away.

Garrus sighed.

"Trouble, Vakarian?" Said and all too familiar voice behind him.

He turned and saw Jane Shepard standing there, her arms crossed and that cute little smirk on her face.

"Not anymore, Shepard." He said.

They looked into each other's eyes and hugged.

The End…?