They had been sitting in the transport vehicle for almost twenty minutes at this point. Shepard with another cup of coffee in her hands, stared out the opposite window. Garrus was in line with the others waiting for a turn into a busy stream of traffic. They hadn't talked much after leaving the Normandy; both seem to be lost in their thoughts. The redhead sipped carefully, seeing groups of families past them by in taxis. She had tried to purposefully put off the conversation about what they were going to do until they got home. It gave her time to decide on something she wanted to do… which at the moment it didn't look like any option was something she could live with.

If she retired, her entire world would be much calmer. She could walk away from the screaming in her dreams, right? Shepard had done her time and did her job the best she could. Garrus had brought up the idea of adopting eventually; so was retirement what he wanted for them? To take up his Advisors position on Palavin and she'd… what would she do? Become a housewife? Learn how to cook Turian meals and make house. That idea caused her to wince, and Hackett's voice floated back to her like an annoying mosquito buzz. "There isn't retirement for people like us." Her fingers started to rotate the cup between her thighs. She could finally have a family though- something that she had written off a long time ago as not being able to have. A little Turian and maybe a human too, hell just adopt a Krogan just for the fun of it. But then again, could she even process being a parent? She knew how to nail a collector at seven hundred yards… but raising kids? That was a terrifying thought.

So what if she went with the promotion? Sure, she'd have enough money in the world to take care of however many kids that Garrus decided they could bring home. Shepard had a somewhat bad habit of adopting everything in sight according to some of her friends. But unless Garrus gave up his Advisor position on Palavin, there wouldn't be a way to really see each other. Not to mention the social stigma they would have to deal with- which didn't bother her as much as anything else did. The promotion meant money and safety… but it would also mean she would make those calls to leave entire universes to the Reapers. Political bullshitting wasn't on her résumé either.

Shepard sighed softly and Garrus glanced over at her, "Want some music?"

"I'm fine." She offered him a small smile as she looked down at the lid and rubbed the liquid off her fingertips.

Then there was taking command of the Normandy again. Of course, she knew that Garrus would immediately go with her at the drop of a hat. But he had so much here for him. A new career on Palavin, his family, a whole life ahead of him… She had really wanted to be a part of that. The worry crept over her thoughts. Garrus would still argue, and come with her to whatever this other universe had to offer them. And if it was just as bad of a mission she imagined it was going to be- they wouldn't make it back to have that family life they wanted.

What was the best response for both of them? Normandy would put her back where she thought she belonged… besides, she couldn't live with herself abandoning another galaxy still living the nightmare of the Reapers. Even if they came back… Garrus would be transferred back to Palavin; they weren't in the same military… and could be sent a galaxy apart. No pun intended.

Suddenly the transport jerked and she caught her coffee from flying out of her seat with her. "Whoa-" She did a double-take at him, seeing an awful determined look on his face. "Did you forget something?"

Garrus shook his head, driving them below the lines of traffic and toward the pavilion that they had been on a few days ago. "I think I have everything I need."

Her eyebrows raised but she said nothing as they came slowly down and parked. "Starting to worry me a little." Shepard muttered as Garrus got out of the transport and opened her door. He offered his hand to her and she took it, knowing he liked to do this every so often. It made a girl feel special. "What's going on, Garrus?" She asked as he led her toward the spot where they had practiced shooting on. There was still a smear of pink and blue from their targets.

The turian shifted a little, clearing his throat. "So- I had an entire speech prepared for this. But I can't get it right in my head so I'm just going to say it and I hope everything comes out the way it's supposed to." Her arms crossed in front of her, listening to him with a concerned expression on her face. It was a little chilly in the night cycle on the Citadel and Garrus swallowed. It reminded her of when they had first spent a night together in her quarters- he had been so nervous. "I've known you for years. I've never stopped loving you. You have just-" He blinked, looking up at the stars for answers.

She grew increasingly worried until another rock dropped in her stomach. "Oh my god, he's breaking up with me…" Shepards face tried to be impassive but it wasn't working very well.

This would make her decision easier to make but- but-, "Look Turian culture is really different doing this. You usually just- say something about it and-?" Garrus sighed a bit angrily at himself as Shepard seemed frozen to the spot.

"Okay..." She started to say and the other seemed to steel himself.

"You know what. The vids were old anyway." Garrus pulled out a box out of his inner jacket and held it between them for a moment. "I'm Garrus Vakarian, and this is my favorite spot on the Citadel… but I'd rather it be our favorite spot though." He opened up the box as he got down on one knee.

A silver band with blue stones in it- the stones were all cut elegantly. It was so simple and still was gorgeous. Her jaw fell open and she stared at him, unable to really comprehend what he was doing for a moment. "Marry me?" He asked and Shepard couldn't stop shaking.

It took a moment to regain movement of her neck to nod. She dropped on her knees to kiss him, hands going to cup his face, "Yes- Absolutely yes!"

So what if the concept of marriage was a bit outdated, sure. Many didn't bother with it anymore or only reserved it for very traditional families. But whatever equivalent it was in Turian culture, she wanted to be it.

And like a car screeching to a halt, she pulled back. "Oh my GOD, Garrus! No-! I mean- Yes I do but maybe- Shit!" She swore and Garrus' eyes were wide, their arms were still wrapped around each other.

Shepard moaned, putting her head on his shoulder. "Hackett gave me another mission but this one is… is bigger than us again- and it's a suicide mission-! We can't-"

Garrus pulled back, listening through her panic. He quieted her, running his talons through her hair. "This is what you've been worried about all day? Relax…" She simmered down, searching his gaze, "When do we leave?" Shepard blinked at him, a small disbelieving shake of her head.

There was that loving look again, "I can get married on a ship. I rather like the Normandy. Suicide missions are in our forte anyway- hell, if we find someone brave enough I don't care if we get married in the middle of a firefight. Just as long as you're there. There is no Vakarian without Shepard." He seemed completely unworried about the mission she had just dropped on him. Garrus stroked her cheek, "And… hate to break the moment but we might want to go."

He pointed behind her at a group of mildly irritated C-Sec officers, including Captain Bailey, staring at them from the railing above. Some of them were whistling at them or clapping at the engagement.

"Get a room!" One Turian yelled and Shepard snorted, turning away from the group, "I want to marry you, Garrus. The yes is a real yes... But this mission is a lot worst odds than what we've had before."

Garrus lifted them both up and he kissed her, leveling his gaze with hers, "We can handle it. Together. Let's go home and look at the big picture. Then we'll figure out where to go from there." He took the ring and slipped it onto her finger.

"Should I ask how you got my ring size?" She didn't wear rings often.

Garrus answered her calmly, "I know what rifle you use, and your favorite guard. Not much guess work from there."