Chapter 9

He was debating leaving the ship. Garrus felt uncomfortable knowing that Shepard had feelings for him, and though he wanted more than anything to continue the fight against the Reapers, he couldn't imagine being able to work with Shepard anymore under the circumstances. Only a few days had passed since he'd fled her cabin, and since then, he hadn't seen or spoken to her. He had, however, become somewhat acquainted with the many new crew members. Amidst the sea of fresh faces were a few familiar ones: Joker, who had sarcastically welcomed him back with crude humor, and Tali, who had hardly said a word to him, but was polite and sincere. While he remained on good terms with everyone on board the ship, he was not close enough to talk to any of them about his current position.

He was in the middle of contemplating this decision when an incoming extranet message from one of his contacts on the Citadel immediately put aside all other thoughts in his mind. He was elated. They'd done it. They'd found him.

And Garrus was going to make him suffer.


Because meals were served in the mess hall right outside the main battery, it wasn't hard for Garrus to ambush her. He waited until she was almost finished eating and most of the other crew members had left the table, and then he took his chance. He strode over, deceptively nonchalant, and sat directly across from Shepard. She paid him no mind. Maybe this would be harder than he thought.

"Shepard," he greeted her.

She nodded in acknowledgement but continued eating.

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"I have nothing to say to you."

The reply did not sound cold, nor was it casual. It was absolutely devoid of emotion. He sighed internally. It was going to take more than a half-hearted ass kissing to make her forgive him – it would take some real effort. And until she'd forgiven him, he highly doubted she would grant him a side mission. But maybe if he could spend some more time with her, the blunt edge of her anger would dull, and she'd be willing to accept an apology from him.

"Will you let me be part of your ground team on Horizon?" he blurted out, cursing himself for having been so confrontational with her back in her cabin.

She raised her gaze and looked intensely at him for a brief moment. Then she shrugged. "Sure."

That had been easier than he'd imagined.


He stared at the haunting shapes of the frozen human colonists they passed. So this was how the colonists had been abducted so easily, without fight. He wasn't sure what he had expected to find on Horizon, but this definitely wasn't it. It was his first groundside mission since rejoining the Normandy. His injuries were healing nicely, but they were put to the test when they finally got to see the enemy they were up against. The Collectors were ugly, plated creatures with glowing yellow eyes. As usual, Garrus worked from afar, alternatively taking their shields down with his omni-tool and sniping. Shepard, however, fought them up close with her shotgun, leaving a large distance between the two teammates. Maybe they wouldn't have the opportunity to talk after all.

It became clear they wouldn't when Kaidan Alenko approached them, surprise etched onto his features. From behind her, Garrus couldn't see Shepard's face, but her whole body went rigid before enveloping the major in a hug.

"I'm so glad you're here!" she mumbled into his shoulder as he tentatively hugged her back.

"Shepard? I - I can't believe it's you. God, am I dreaming?"

He held her at arms' length and studied her face. "This can't be real. I saw you die."

"Yeah, I did," she whispered. "I was dead for two years. Cerberus brought me back to stop the Collectors. If the galaxy wasn't in danger, I'd still be frozen solid on some worthless planet in the Terminus Systems."

She was… dead? Well, that explained a lot.

She was shaking, but from rage or tears, Garrus couldn't see. His interest was peaked.

"Hey, it's alright, Shep. You're here. Everything's going to be okay."

She nodded. "Thanks. I know, it just gets to me sometimes." She paused. "I really want to keep talking, but obviously this isn't the time. Can we meet up somewhere?"

He sighed. "That's… probably not a good idea."

"Please? I need to talk to someone about this. I need you, Kaidan."

"You can't just say things like that, Shepard." He sounded cold now, and his face was stern. "That's exactly the sort of thing you used to say to lead me on. Maybe back then I could have been there for you, but things have changed. I thought you were dead. I mourned, and then I moved on."

"But I was dead." She sounded hurt.

"It's been two years," he shot back. "I didn't believe it until now, of course, but the rumors about you being alive have been going around for months now. Months! And you didn't even bother to contact me in that time."

"I've been busy saving lives," she protested.

"You're still not over him," he sighed.

What? Over who? Garrus tried to look casual so Kaidan wouldn't notice him listening.

Her shoulders slumped. "You knew?"

Kaidan laughed mirthlessly. "Everyone on the ship knew you loved him. Chakwas and Adams used to joke about you two having half-turian, half-human babies together."

She loved… A turian? Oh. Oh, no. Garrus' stomach lurched.

Shepard was frozen.

"I'm sorry," Kaidan murmured. "I shouldn't have said that. And I still want to be your friend, but you're going to have to talk to someone else." With that, he walked away.

She stayed frozen for a few moments, before turning and facing Garrus, a wry smile on her face.

"Well, those Collectors aren't going to chase themselves back to the Omega 4 Relay."


(A/N): I know a few of you might be a little upset at this outcome, but please don't abandon the story! If I must, I'll PM you and tell you why you have to keep reading. I have plans, glorious plans.