Title: Artemisia Shepard, War Hero
By: Midnight Unicorn
Disclaimer: Main character semi-mine, others and places are not

Two things inspired this: Kasumi's little gossip about Garrus liking Shepard, and wanting to have them do something not unlike a date, something of mutual interest but low pressure.

"Do you get overwhelmed?" The question popped out before Garrus stopped to think about it, but once he'd said it, he really did want to know.

Shepard raised her eyebrows but her hands continued the familiar routine of cleaning her pistol. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, buying time before answering by polishing the scope of his rifle. "All the expectations on you. Stopping the Collectors, the Reapers, saving the galaxy, and everyone along the way that you can."

Her mouth twisted in a grimace. "When you put it like that it's hard not to."

"I'm sorry, I didn't—"

"Relax." She reached across the table to grasp his shoulder for a moment and then sat back again. "I do all that I can not to get overwhelmed. I know that if I lost it, it's not just my ass on the line. And I remember I'm not in this alone." She gave him a small smile he couldn't help returning, warmth building under his plates before he mentally ordered himself to calm down. "I have some of the best biotics the galaxy can offer helping me out, doctors, techs, and combatants to rival any others. I have a sniper and tactician who ate a rocket and was too stubborn to let it kill him."

Garrus smiled thinly; he didn't have the same feelings about that particular moment of his life that she did. "You'll make me blush, Commander," he said instead.

Shepard snorted and they resumed their work. She finished with her sidearm before speaking again. "Why did you ask?"

He tapped the table with the rod used to clean the length of the barrel, gaze thoughtful and unfocused. "Worry," he finally said slowly. "And awe. You…you keep it together so well, you don't lose control, even when I—" he stopped his bitter thoughts, shaking his head a little, and then looked at her with clear eyes. "It's all so much for one person, even someone as amazing and skilled as you."

"That's why I have my team." Her voice was so sure and calm he knew he'd never wonder again. "They keep me whole and safe. You keep me sane and happy."

This time Garrus reached over to her, touching the back of her hand, careful of his sharp talons. Shepard smiled and turned her hand over, tangling their fingers together loosely.

"Oi, I better not find any oil on that table later." Sergeant Gardner's barking voice broke in on their moment and Garrus pulled his hand back unobtrusively. "Isn't cleaning your guns what the armory's for?"

"Not the same as seeing to your own weapons," Shepard answered, slinging an arm over the back of her chair. "Keep your voice down, most of the crew is still asleep."

Gardner flapped a hand at her and muttered more quietly, but set about preparing the first meal.

"Guess that means we should clean up," Garrus remarked and Shepard smiled crookedly but nodded.

As soon as they were gone, Shepard to the elevator and Garrus shut up in the Main Battery, Garnder took off down the hall to the Port Observation and banged hard. Kasumi opened the door in a few seconds, one hand on her gun at the ready, but she relaxed when she saw him. "You were right!" he gasped.

"Of course I was," she said cheerfully, stepping back to allow him inside. "What about this time?"

"Commander Shepard and Garrus!"

Kasumi grinned. "I knew it!" It wasn't long before everyone else knew, too.

A/N: I'm all a-glee.

Scorcese: That 999,999,999 credits had to go somewhere xD

Gentle Breezes: I'm so glad you were able to empathize with the character. That makes me feel like I did well.

Princess of Pluto: An alert AND a fav, thank you~ I'm very glad you've enjoyed it so far :3