_Garrus_
Garrus found himself staring into Kiana's eyes longer than he intended. Both eyes had started changing..color. Right around her pupil the color had changed from a deep blue, to an icy blue. It was clearly visible. He picked up the mirror that Chakwas had handed to Kiana. "Here. Look again." "No!" She whispered and covered her face with her hands. "Kiana!" He reached up to ply her hands away, but she pulled back. "No, Garrus stop!" His stomach flip-flopped as he slowly pulled his hand away.
He wanted her to see how beautiful they had become. He mentally admitted that he was going to miss the all deep blue eyes, but now he would have learn to love the new color. He knew that she would too. "Shepard, please. Just look." Garrus pleaded. He waited for many moments, until she flopped back on the bed, and turned away from him. Garrus sighed at her stubbornness. No one was as stubborn as Eve. "Kiana, please." He pleaded once more. "They'll never be the same." She whimpered.
"Would you please stop moping and look at me!" Garrus snapped. He was faking the tone. It was usually the only way he could get her to listen. He watched her turn onto her back and slowly pull her hands away from her face. Eyes still closed. "Shepard, really?" Her eyes shot open. "Don't 'Shepard, really?' me!" She snapped back and his mandibles widened. She seemed have noticed his smile because she frowned. She stared at him for what seemed like hours. Eyes digging holes into the depths of his inner soul. Her eyes were wondering his face and he stared at them in wonder.
Thank the spirits for laser eye surgery! He handed Kiana the mirror, and she stared into it for long seconds. He could see the wheels turning in her head. Processing everything. She sighed and put the mirror in her lap. She wiped her hands down her face and put on a look of annoyance. "Why did you do this for me?" She didn't look up while she spoke. Her fingers fiddling with the zipper of her sweatshirt.
Garrus was plucking out words that wouldn't alarm her, but just help her understand. A long silence came between them. "I don't want you to get overwhelmed." He said simply. She looked at him, dumbfounded. "So you're not going to tell me?" He smiled and patted the bed as he stood. "No, not yet." Garrus headed toward the door. "I'll tell you when you're ready." He left and the doors closed behind him. He slunk into the Main Battery, and sat on a crate. His emotions and thoughts twiddled around in his head, causing a minor headache. She was defiantly going to be pissed, confused, and emotional for a while. Maybe he was too.
_Kiana_
I stopped playing with my zipper and sat there... I was still trying to take in what Garrus had said. He was such an asshole! Playing with my mind and twisting my emotions into a churro. Damn, was it annoying! I don't know how he gets to me. It's like a...weakness. Weaknesses are not good. I never really had a weakness..except Garrus. My first, last, and only weakness. I hope. Why was it confusing? Why do I let him take care of me like this?
How can he get so deep into my inner emotions that I'm at a loss for words? UGH! Nothing was more annoying than a guy who gets to you. I haven't felt this way since... I was a teenager.
BAH, that was him too! I shook my head and heard Mordin chuckle. "What?" I asked and looked up. He was looking at me and typing on his omni-tool at the same time. "Nothing, just analyzing your stress levels. You get very emotional and hormonal around the Turian." I was getting sick of his predictions... they always ended up to be right.
"I know that." I said, and glared at him. "No matter. How are you feeling?" "I feel fine." "Good. Was wondering, but when will you be ready?" "MORDIN!" "Just teasing." I pulled the sheets over my bare toes. It's shitty cold and I don't have words to describe how I was feeling... Emotional was the only one that seemed to fit.
That hard bastard was slipping into the cracks. That wasn't suppose to happen. Now that I'd thought about it. He'd been slipping through for a long time now. No matter how hard I thought it just caused me agony and confusion. I couldn't figure out the way I felt. Not only was it confusing, but it was also frustrating. My thoughts were brutally interrupted by Joker. "Um, Commander ETA to Omega is thirty minutes. Where are you?" I bolted up, and my feet hit the cold floor. "I have to go. Thanks docs."
I made my way toward the door and found myself being dragged in again. Sigh. "Ah, ah, ah, not so fast young lady." Chakwas said, "Here." She picked up something from her desk, and marched over to me. She quickly slid my sleeve up, put the syringe to my arm, and injected me quicker than I could blink. "Damn it!" I cursed and rubbed my arm. "Those things hurt! Warn me next time!" Chakwas chuckled, "If I had warned you, Commander, you would have gone running."
I thought about it. I knew she was right, but had to think of an answer. Lie? No. I'm not a liar. "Eh, good point." I said and, stomped quickly out of the room. I stopped at the Main Battery and then the Observatory. After telling Garrus and Samara to get ready I went up to my quarters to strap everything on. I opened my drawer full of my armor pieces. I pulled out my chest piece and gasped. "What the hell?"
I'd known all along that my armor had been primary colors of red and black. It was the usual N7 colors. Since I was colorblind I've known that... I had asked Jacob what color it was and he'd said it was primary black and secondary red. Had he lied to me?
No, no one would lie about that crap for fun. I brushed a finger over the newly painted dark blue secondary finish. The black primary was fresh and new-looking. The pattern on the front resembled markings that were familiar, but I couldn't... You know how you know something looks familiar, but you just can't figure it out or 'put a finger on it?' I was having one of those moments. Pure confusion. I thought for several moments before I knew I had to get moving.
I strapped every piece of armor quickly, and marched into the bathroom. I opened a cabinet drawer and plucked a ponytail holder from it. I tied my hair quickly, but made sure it wasn't too messy. My bangs were too short to pull back and I probably wasn't going to be in a shoot down firefight with Samara's daughter. Well, that's what I hoped. So, I left them hanging in my eyes (eye).
I glanced up in the mirror. A wave of awe flushed over me as my eyes swept over the dark blue colors. I had to admit my eyes looked pretty cool with the matching armor...Ah, I see what's catching my eye. (Hah! Get it? I'm talking about my eyes? Never mind. I didn't...I forgot what I was going to say.)
The armor perfectly matched my dark blue Irises. I was going over the possibilities of who could have done this. For me. AGAIN. In a quick switch of a light bulb I recognized the markings. The somewhat resembled Garrus' clan markings.. He wouldn't paint his clan markings on me! That's insane. Ridiculous. Outrageous. Impossible. Crazy. Psycho. Ugh, I should go..
I took one last look and left the room. When I got down to the CIC I was greeted by Samara who was extremely tense. I've had a lot of experience with soldier behaviors. I could tell that she was getting impatient, and trying desperately to hide it. "Shepard, I'm glad you're here. We were starting to think you had gotten lost."
Samara remarked, and Garrus had a very smug look on his face. I suddenly felt like smacking it. "Look, I was caught up. Okay?" Garrus was now eying me from head to toe. "The color suits you." He said as he turned and walked toward the airlock. Samara and I stood there and I felt like I had just been turned to stone. I wanted to move but I just couldn't! I had to confront Garrus about this. Was he showing..feeling? Or was he just being a friend, a really great and loving best friend?
I was interrupted in thought when Samara nudged me. "Commander?" Her eyes were looking to me and back at where Garrus had walked off too. I shook my head as if to throw the thoughts out of my head. "Yeah, yeah. Sorry, I was thinking. Come on, let's go."
I started toward the bridge. I passed Kelly who declared I had new messages. "I'll check them later!" I said. "You have new messages." she said. "I'll check them later!" I said. Ugh. Sometimes that woman never stops speaking in the same text. I know it was her job, but I really didn't need a yeoman. It's not that I don't like Kelly, it's just she can get a bit...loud? Annoying? There isn't really a word to describe it in a nice, but frustrated way.
I trudged out onto the bridge and got ready. I strapped on my gloves, and finished getting ready. "Alright, let's do this thing."
_Garrus_
"You're going to do what?" Garrus raged, hands up as he followed Shepard near the V.I.P section of Afterlife.
The small team had gone to 'Nef's' house and located Morinth. Now it was a matter of getting Shepard to draw Morinth in. Then a matter of getting her to Morinth's apartment, killing Morinth and getting them both out. They were planning to use Shepard as 'bait'. This particular idea was not approved by Garrus. Of course he was walking around, thinking of all of the possibilities. She could be killed for that matter.
Anything could happen, because there was no way of telling! "Garrus, calm down. It'll be fine. Samara's got my back." He grabbed her shoulder as she put down the bag with her casual clothing in it. She rummaged a bit before Garrus started speaking again. "Kiana, you're not going in there only to be killed by a psychotic Asari that wants your blood dead. Being on your six is my job, not Samara's." Samara had been eager to go in so she had gone in while Garrus and Kiana talked.
Kiana looked up, and her eyes softened a little. "I know." She said, and put her hand on his briefly. "It will only be a few minutes. I promise." Garrus sighed. This woman was out of her mind. Shepard had always been out of her mind, but this, this was disturbing. If he doesn't keep her safe and protect her and she gets killed, he would never be able to live again. It would be his fault, again. He couldn't be apart from her. Somehow he thought if she was near him he could make sure she doesn't die again.
This time didn't seem like he was going to be there to be sure of that. Garrus sighed as he watched her unstrap her armor to her under armor and she slid on her casual Normandy wear that she almost never wore. He attire was usually made up of a sweatshirt and baggy pants or human 'jeans' as they called them. He almost didn't recognize her in the Cerberus uniform.
"I'm going in. Here." She handed him the duffel bag with her armor in it. "I promise I'll be back."
He watched her walk into the club. Now it was waiting time.
2 MINUTES LATER...
Garrus starts to pace. He found no other alternative to calm himself. He was pacing up and down the wall near the entrance of the V.I.P section and was starting to calm a little...
5 MINUTES LATER...
Garrus is still pacing as time seems to slowly tick on by...
10 MINUTES LATER...
Pacing.
14 MINUTES LATER...
Pacing...
20 MINUTES LATER...
Pacing...
24 MINUTES LATER...
Garrus was now sitting on the ground, leaning up against the wall. He put the duffel bag on his lap and unzipped it. He pulled out the chest piece and examined it. He felt bad for painting her armor when she was unconscious. It wasn't necessary, but he had tried to be..helpful? He just...loved her. Cared about her. Wanted her to be happy. She hadn't said anything about it to him so she must have liked it right? Or was that an offensive gesture in human culture?
All of his questions were giving him another headache. Some things never got easier. Just harder in this case. A voice came over his comm. It was Samara. After waiting 24 minutes you'd think he'd get some kind of news. He held his breath. ~Spirits, be good news!~ He thought and responded. "Here, Samara."
"Shepard is being taken to Morinth's apartment. I need you to get a shuttle so we can follow her."
Garrus stood up, and started to speed walked to the nearest shuttle station. "On my way. What's your current location?"
_Kiana_
"Don't count on it."I growled at Morinth. Morinth pulled back, her expression was one of fear and confusion. "But you...who are you? Oh, no. I see what's going on." I couldn't help but smirk at Morinth. "The bitch herself found a little helper."
At that moment I looked toward the opening door. Samara trudged into the room, biotics aglow. The room lit up as Morinth also started to glow. I felt no need to interfere, so I stood up and backed away. "Morinth." Samara hissed and threw Morinth against the glass. The loud blow had made the window crack. "Mother." "Do not call me that!"
My guard was still on, I knew I needed to help Samara anyway I could. Out of the corner of my eye saw a shadow outside the door that hadn't closed. I walked to the door and grabbed the dark figure and slammed them against the wall. I pulled my knife out of my pocket . "Kia, it's just me." The familiar voice gave me chills. "Garrus. Don't do that again. I might kill you." I backed up and I heard a yelp. "Shepard!"
I ran to help Samara. I grabbed Morinth's arm and pulled it away. I seductively pressed my cheek to hers and whispered. "End of the line, Morinth." I pulled back. "And they call me a monster." She hissed as she was thrown back by her mother. I couldn't watch anymore and walked next to Garrus.
"Find peace in the embrace of the goddess."
The shuttle ride was seemingly quiet on the ride back to the Normandy. Garrus was really tense beside me and he twitched every once in a while. It was odd feeling his warmth next to me. Even with his armor on he was very warm... I hadn't wanted to get into my armor again since we were just going back onto the ship. It didn't make sense to change again.
Tali..I was thinking about Tali. I missed her more than ever right now. I was determined to get her back. Our next mission was going to be recruiting her. Whatever she wanted I'll do for her. I just need her here with me. She was always my favorite woman on the ship.
She was almost like a sister to me. Damn close to being one at least. I had always wanted a little sister, but now... I guess I lost that want, because of all of the Reaper crap. At least Tali was close enough for me.
A COUPLE HOURS LATER ON THE SHIP HEADED FOR HAESTROM...
"Shepard, Garrus has requested entry. Granted?" EDI blipped. I marched into the bathroom and checked my hair... I never checked my hair.. Why was it instinct when Garrus came up?
I speed walked over to my desk and sat at my terminal.
"Sure, let him in." I heard the door open and the all familiar footsteps echo in the silence. My inner gut twisted. I started feeling sick. Was this what it was like to be love sick? "Hey." That voice...
~Get it together, Shepard..~
"What's up?" I answered and went to scroll over unread messages. "Um, look. I just wanted to let you know that I-" "Commander, you have a transmission coming through your terminal." Joker announced and Garrus grumbled. "Alright, thanks Joker."
I went through and pulled up the page. The first thing I saw was a flash of bright red hair. I was stoned into staring into the screen. Frozen into place by the all familiar blue eyes that were digging holes into my skull. "Rick?" I choked. "Kiana!" A hand went to my mouth and tears were burning in my eyes. I heard Garrus step behind me and put a hand on the back of the chair.
There was a thick silence in the cool room and Rick spoke. "Kiana, I'm so sorry." This was nuts. Why now? Out of my hole life. Why now? "For what?" I stifled and put my elbows on the desk. I could feel the heat radiating from Garrus. I knew he was probably confused...
"For leaving you behind."
_Garrus_
Garrus stiffened at the man's voice. He'd never seen this man before. Had Shepard had more than one relationship back in the old times with Kaiden and this man? It didn't seem like that's something Kiana would do. He shook his head. Ridding it of those ridiculous thoughts. It wasn't even his business, but it sure seemed like it was.
Kiana and him have been building.. something. He wasn't sure, but for one, he knew she had some sort of feeling for him. Garrus watched Kiana. She was shaking and her voice was caught in emotion. "Can we meet?" Kiana sat up and nodded. "Yeah, sure. We'll come to you. Where are you?" "We're patrolling in the Dholen system just north of Gotha."
"Alright, we're actually headed to Haestrom, so we'll be there in a couple of hours. We can catch up then okay?"
Garrus hadn't listened to the whole conversation. Shit, now he was going to presume things that aren't true. "Alright, Kia. Love you and please stay safe." "Love you too, Rick. Stay safe out there."
"Bye." "Bye."
The screen flickered back to her email and Kiana sighed. All of this...confusion was getting to his head.
He had to leave before he went nuts. "I have to go." "So soon?" She whimpered and turned in her chair. "Yeah I have to um,..work on the air conditioner." She raised an eyebrow. He knew he was in trouble now.
"You did that yesterday..." She said. He chuckled. "Yeah, uh, sorry I meant the ,um. Terminal! It's fried and I gotta go cool it down." She smirked and cocked her head to the side. "Hmm, the gun needs calibrating." Her eyebrows shot up. ~Damn it.~
"You're not getting away that easily, Vakarian." She whispered. "Shepard, really!" "Really, Garrus?" She got a little too close to contain himself. He turned and quickly left before something happened that wasn't suppose to.
The elevator doors closed and he rubbed a hand down his face. Damn these emotions!