"Stupid calibrations. I should just give up, throw this piece of junk out of the nearest airlock." Garrus muttered to himself as he worked diligently on the forward batteries. Every test of the targeting matrix showed the same problem. The amount of energy being displaced was not equal to the power of the Thanix cannon. Staring at the batteries, Garrus knew something was wrong. He had tried different vectors and coefficients but each time, something was off. Stripping off his gloves, he slowly rubbed his neck then hit the console with his fist. The forward batteries area seemed to be closing in on him. The white walls pressed more and more each time his testing failed. Garrus stared at the console watching the flickering lights of the display. Sighing in frustration, he knew he had to call Tali. Garrus stretched knowing, once Tali was involved, it was going to be a long night. Glancing at EDI's display, he gathered his courage.
"EDI?"
"Yes, Garrus?" EDI quipped. Garrus hung his head in defeat.
"Can you ask Tali to come to the forward batteries." Sighing loudly, he leaned against the console.
"Of course, Garrus. Would you like me to inform her that you require her aid?" Garrus shook his head and rolled his eyes as he sarcastically replied..
"Yes, please do." He then made a face at EDI showing his displeasure. EDI's blue globular form flickered brightly before disappearing with a quick flash.
"Logging you out, Garrus." Groaning in frustration, he stomped to the nearest crate to wait for Tali.
Sitting in his area, Garrus surveyed the tiny space. For the most part the white walls were comforting and the gentle hum of the console and cannon was soothing. He had spend every waking moment since coming aboard the Normandy upgrading and calibrating the Thanix cannon. Only to have each test he conducted fail. Glaring at the cannon, Garrus compared its behavior to an old woman, slow and temperamental. Leaning against the wall, Garrus listened to Rupert muttering to himself as he cooked. The soft woosh of the mass effect field generator gave the ship a soft hum. When he first entered the Normandy, the noises were unfamiliar, just like the crew. Now he knew each sound, groan and pop just as he knew each crew members face, name and duty station.
Garrus begun to wonder what Shepard was doing. Counting the hours, he realized he hadn't seen her all day. He had ate with the crew but she didn't eat when he did. Garrus then remembered the last time he saw her. He had been speaking with Joker after helping Jacob with the weaponry. On his way back to the crew deck, he saw her was speaking with Kelly. As he neared he heard her telling Kelly that she would be in her cabin reviewing the daily reports. Quickly, she entered the elevator and disappeared. Unable to catch her before the closing of the elevator doors, Garrus was caught by Kelly. Her endless flirting with him was annoying, not to mention her continued belief that he and Shepard was romantically linked. Suppressing a chuckle, Garrus was tempted to tell Kelly that Shepard preferred quiet killers to gregarious former C-SEC officers. Then again, it would probably cause Kelly to concoct designs on him. Now that would be horrible.
The soft hiss of his areas doors opening caught Garrus' attention. Tali strode into the room as she began scanning the console with her omnitool. Having known Tali for the past few years, Garrus knew she would immediately begin work. Standing up, he stretched as he waited. He watched as Tali completed her scans before beginning to enter data into the console. Tali's hands were quickly entering information into the display making the console flicker brightly with orange and yellow hues. Standing over the console, Tali appeared to be communicating with the technology in a way only quarians could. Completing her data entry, Tali again scanned the console before reviewing the data on her omnitool. Turning to Garrus, Tali entered more data into her omnitool before meeting his eyes. Tali's face was mostly obscured behind her mask but he knew what was coming. Crossing her arms over this chest, she coolly surveyed him.
"You recently changed the converter couplings but the power capacitor is faulty. It surges power to the couplings at irregular intervals causing the couplings to burn out. The underlying issue is that the influx matrix is too weak for the power of the cannon. We will have to upgrade the influx matrix, buy a new power capacitor then change converter couplings. That should fix the problem. We will need to speak to Shepard." Garrus listened carefully but was lost after she told him he changed the converter couplings.
"Right..." Glancing back at EDI, Garrus called her. "EDI?" A soft flicker of blue light and EDI materialized.
"Yes, Garrus." Looking back at Tali, he motioned toward the door.
"Where's Shepard?" EDI glowed brightly.
"She is available in her cabin." Opening the door, Garrus allowed Tali to exit before leaving the area.
"Thanks!" EDI watched at Tali and Garrus left the forward batteries.
"Logging you out, Garrus."
Walking down the hallway, past the crew sleeping pods, Garrus seeing Rupert he nodded. Noticing Garrus and Tali pass, Rupert gave each a small nod and then grinned. Turning back to his work station, Rupert appeared to be preparing the next meal. Various vegetables and cooking implements were scattered on his counter as water boiled on the cook top. The smell of the food was not overly pleasant. Must be cooking for the crew. Glancing to his right, he watched as Dr. Chakwas worked at her station in the med bay. Following Tali, Garrus entered the elevator and pressed the button to Shepard's quarters. The ride up one level was quiet as Tali continued to review the data she collected on her omnitool. Watching her scroll through the data, Garrus began to plan what he was going to tell Shepard. He knew she would want the facts but he also knew she would expect a solution. Quickly he thought of all the salvage dealers he knew that would have the parts available and be reasonably priced. The best place to check would be the Citadel. The second option would most likely be Omega.
Exiting the elevator, Garrus saw that the activation button to Shepard's cabin was green indicating she was available to talk. Turning to motion Tali to enter, Garrus activated the door.
"Oh keelah." He heard Tali utter. Looking into Shepard's cabin, he could see Shepard and Thane ardently embracing. Thane was softly kissing Shepard as tears slid down her cheeks. Looking quickly to Tali, Garrus motioned for her to be quiet and calm. Stepping into the room, he softly cleared his throat as he tried to act nonchalant.
"Shepard, Tali and I need to talk with you about the guns. Hey, Thane." Walking past Shepard and Thane, Garrus waved Tali in. Wringing her hands, Tali walked quickly by.
"Hi, Thane. We'll need new parts Shepard." Garrus gently pushed Tali toward the couch, before turning back to Thane and Shepard. Garrus watched as Thane gently cupped Shepard's face, wiping her tears away. Smiling softly, Shepard squeezed Thane one last time before releasing him. Meeting Garrus' gaze, Shepard walked to the couches joining him and Tali. Following her, Thane sat down on the couch and watched Garrus and Tali. Sitting down next to Tali, Garrus smiled at Shepard. Gently, he elbowed Tali, prompting her to explain.
"The amount of energy the Thanix Cannon is displacing is not equal to the power of the gun. In order to fix this, we will need to upgrade the influx matrix, purchase a new power capacitor and replace the converter couplings." Nodding in agreement, Garrus looked at Shepard.
"We have a choice of where to purchase the items. The Citadel or Omega. Personally, I would rather purchase at the Citadel. I have contacts in C-SEC that could be helpful." Shepard listened intently before nodding in agreement.
"I'll have Joker set a course to the Citadel. Tali, how are the upgrades to the drive core coming?" Standing up, Tali motioned for Shepard to follow her.
"Let me show you on your private terminal." Garrus and Thane stood, allowing Tali and Shepard to pass. Walking to Thane's side, Garrus watched as Tali sat down at Shepard's desk and began to pull up reports for Shepard to review. Hovering at Tali's side, Shepard's attention was engrossed in the data she was being shown. Stepping closer to Thane, Garrus lowered his voice to speak.
"Is everything alright? Shepard was crying." Thane clasped his hands behind his back before breathing deeply.
"She had received a message from Staff Commander Alenko. I read the message. He appears to want to resume his relationship with Shepard. I was attempting to step aside to allow her to consider her choices but I upset her." Reigning in his anger, Garrus tried to give Thane the benefit of a doubt. Garrus took a deep breath as he considered Thane's explanation.
"What happened?" Thane up looked at Shepard. Following his gaze, Garrus watched as Shepard and Tali continued to review reports. Looking back at Thane, Garrus could see a small smile on the drell's face. Seeing Garrus studying him, Thane leaned closer, his voice low.
"She chose me." Surprised at Thane's words, Garrus stood straight, his mandibles flaring wide in a turian smile.
"I am relieved and happy for you. I was concerned you and Shepard had a fight. I know It's none of my business but I want Shepard to be happy." Stepping in front of Thane, Garrus stared at him.
"How do you feel about Shepard?" Thane unclasped his hands from behind his back and appeared to visibly relax.
"I love her." Garrus quickly glanced at Shepard.
"Have you told her?" Thane's soft chuckled drew Garrus's attention.
"A few minutes before you arrived. We told each other." Thane's words caused Garrus to turn his head quickly and stare at him.
"You told each other? She loves you!" Smiling, Thane softly nodded. Unable to contain his excitement, Garrus laughed. Grabbing Thane, Garrus hugged then gently shook him, patting him on his shoulder.
"Take care of her. I've known her for a long time. She deserves happiness. Kaidan...well... he failed her. Don't fail her." Thane laughed at Garrus exuberance.
"I won't. She's my siha. She's everything." Releasing Thane, Garrus stepped back in time to hear Shepard call to them.
"What's going on down there?" Laughing, Garrus walked to Shepard and embraced her.
"Whoa buddy... what's going on?" Stepping back, Garrus sighed and patted her shoulder.
"Thane told me you love each other. I think it's great. It's about time." An excited squeal rang out as Tali launched herself out of chair to hug her.
"I'm so happy for you, for both of you! Everything will be fine. I know it will." Stepping away from Tali, Shepard smiled and softly laughed.
"So, your both okay with Thane and I?" Garrus turned to Tali shrugging his shoulders.
"It shouldn't but we are on a Cerberus operated ship." Thane approached and stood behind Shepard, his hand resting on her shoulder.
"Perhaps, for the time being, it would be prudent to maintain the ruse that Shepard is involved with Garrus rather that sharing this information. I do not want to distract from the mission. Knowledge of our relationship may upset crew members." Garrus considered Thane's request as he turned to Tali.
"No talking, no scuttle butt. Agreed?" Tali nodded emphatically.
"Agreed." Turning to Shepard, Tali again hugged her.
"I'm glad it all worked out." Turning to Thane, Tali shook his hand before grasping it between hers.
"I'll know you'll take care of her and be good to her. Just, make her happy." Turning to look at Shepard, Tali softly touched her friend's cheek.
"She deserves it." Shepard grasped Tali's hand and smiled.
"I'm glad you're both here. I couldn't do it without you." Garrus pulled Tali and Shepard to him. Hugging them both close, he closed his eyes, thankful he had friends. Seeing Thane watching them, he motioned for Thane. Pulling Thane into the group hug, Garrus laughed.
"Of course you could, just not as stylishly." Shepard and Thane stepped back before she playfully cuffed him before motioning toward her door.
"Out, both of you." Laughing Tali pulled Garrus toward the door.
"See you later."
Turning back to Shepard, he watched as Thane stood next to her. He could see Thane tenderly touch her arm before looking at him. Seeing them together made Garrus heart swell. She deserves him. At the closing of Shepard's door, he vowed he would do anything to keep them together and alive.