UPDATE (30.03.2017): Thanks to Erin Primette from I got to know that Garrus' father's name is Castis and I decided to change Akteon to his canon name. Although I write AU fic I try to stick to as much canon stuff as I can. So that's it. Thanks again, Erin for your message :)

Sorry for late update, but I had a bit of work so it took me longer to write this one. I hope I'll redeem myself with Vakarian drama at its best.

Let's all thanks Razzberry for editing late in night. She ought to sleep but decided to edit instead! :D :* Appreciate her work by reading her incredible fics:

Mass Effectiveness /works/5330642

Dawn of a New Era /works/4978891

Thanks for comments and reviews, my heart is melting at how sweet and supportive you all are!

Enjoy! :*

xXx

"Fuck." Garrus said and lowered his head in defeat. His father would be coming like a storm. A shitstorm. And he didn't want to confront him.

"Garrus, mind your language." His mother growled. "Don't worry you two. We're coming to the rescue. Your grandfather got us a small ship. We're leaving in an hour."

"Grandfather is coming?" The turian raised his head, feeling that there was some hope after all. If someone could talk to his father and change his mind, it was certainly grandfather Septimus. Oraka's clan tier was higher than Vakarians, Castis would surely listen to his father-in-law. "Okay, that's some plan."

"Of course it is. I have had enough of your father's bullshit, Garrus." Kalea sighed. She was truly tired of the situation. "Ever since your father became Clan Leader, he is unnerving. That changed him so much… It was so nice, living on the Citadel… he was working at C-Sec… everything was good…" For a moment she fell silent, reminiscing about the past. "Anyway, please act as though you don't know anything about his arrival or ours. I want to make this a surprise he will remember for the rest of his life."

Jane shivered at those words. She considered her mother-in-law to be a motherly figure but now she looked so different. Angry and serious, that wasn't Kalea Vakarian at all.

"Bye, kids, we will be on the Citadel tomorrow."

Jane could see Solana's waving hand seconds before the image vanished. She snuggled into Garrus' side and sighed heavily. "Why does everything have to get completely fucked up when I think everything is going in the right direction?"

"Hell if I have any idea… same here. When everything's going just fine… something fucks up… although sometimes it turns out, that after some time, it wasn't that bad." The turian nuzzled her neck, trailing its shape with the tip of his tongue. He felt her shiver, her heart rate elevate. How her body temperature raised in matter of seconds. Her, now faint, scent of arousal. "For example our marriage…"

"True." The woman stood up. "I'm going to wash myself and get some shut-eye." After a second of consideration, she pulled at his hand. "And you're coming with me."

xXx

It was really early in the morning when the couple was woken up by the doorbell. Jane jumped out of the bed and went to the livingroom to unlock the doors. Seconds after the swooshy sound rang in the silence, the woman was pushed on the wall. "You…" Castis grabbed Shepard by her neck, strangling her. "It's all your fault… my son wou-"

Garrus pushed his father away from the coughing woman. He hadn't expected such an outcome. He would never have thought that his own father would attack someone… especially his son's wife. He sat her on the couch. "Jane, sit and calm down. I'll get you some water." Then he turned to his father with a threatening growl. "You. Sit there and don't you dare to move."

Jane drank the water, eyeing Garrus' father from time to time. The older turian sat in place, exactly where Garrus had told him to, making angry sounds now and then. Jane wondered why he obeyed his son's order.

"How could you attack my wife in my own home, father?"

"Wife? You're joking, right?" Older Vakarian snorted, clearly dismayed by his son's words. "This marriage is a joke, Garrus. And I will find a way to end it."

"No!" The younger turian yelled. He was surprised at himself for having such courage toward his father. "I don't want to finish anything. I… I was so focused on pleasing you… so focused that I forgot about myself. I've even hurt my wife… my mate. Because of you. We were the same, but I've changed… You're hurting mum and don't give a fuck about it… you would have killed for her, once… what happened, dad?"

"I…"

"Just… leave my apartment, father… Just leave." Garrus pointed firmly at the open doors. His father regarded him with shock, not believing his son's words. The younger turian became irritated. "LEAVE!"

Castis left, mumbling something. When the doors closed, Vakarian sighed loudly. He watched the doors for a while, thinking about what he had just done. Then he turned to Shepard. The woman was still coughing from time to time, black bruises had appeared on her neck under bloody scratches from the turian's talons. Garrus sat next to her, embracing the woman with one hand and humming his apology. The turian felt bad, he had failed yet again to protect her. Not that she needed it, but this time it shouldn't have happened. After a long moment he only said one thing. "I'm sorry, Jane."

"Don't." She replied with a hoarse voice, then she started to cough. It took her a few minutes to calm her coughing. "I'm so used to unexpected violence. After all, I survived 4 thresher maws, 3 angry turians and now your dad. Oh, and sex with my turian husband. Usual."

"It's not funny, Jane. I failed you." He turned Shepard's head to face him and he wanted to put his forehead on her when suddenly doorbell rang again. "If it's him I don't know what I'll do…" Garrus stood up and checked who was at their door before allowing entry. "No… it's mum and grandparents… and Solana."

Five turians entered the small apartment of Garrus and Jane. The elders looked around with interest, while Kalea checked to see if her husband was there. Her gaze landed on Jane and her bruised neck. She could smell blood in the air. "Jane!" Garrus' mother ran to the human female and inspected her neck, sensing Castis's scent on it. "That bastard!"

"It's nothing." Jane replied with a raspy voice, although it was better than several minutes ago. "Sometimes all of us get too emotional. That's all."

"Don't say that! How could he…" Hamras also sat next to Jane. "I thought I taught my son some decency. I thought I knew him… What happened here? Where is Castis now, Garrus?"

"I don't know, grandmother. He just left when I told him to leave."

xXx

Nihlus Kryik was enjoying a lazy morning in his apartment when Councilor Sparatus called him and demanded his presence. Of course… he has some radar and knows when I want to laze about and do shit for a change. With a grumpy mood, the turian changed from his casuals to standard turian civvies and went to the Presidium. The secretary waved at him to enter the office of the turian Councillor immediately. He was surprised to see Saren Arterius inside. "Councillor Sparatus, Saren, so good to see you again." Nihlus greeted the two turians with his usual cocky smirk.

"Nihlus. What took you so long?" Sparatus spat at him.

Fucker. If you're such a smartass, invent a teleportation device. I could be here in a matter of seconds. He thought to himself but said nothing. Kryik knew that Sparatus didn't like his attitude at all. But Nihlus was too damn good as a Spectre, and the Councilor couldn't do anything about him. "I'm sorry. You know traffic is high around this time. Anyway, to what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you two first thing in the morning?"

"It's time for the Vakarian's to do something. I want you to tell them that, starting next month, they will start their Spectre training. Tell them to wrap everything they were doing up and prepare accordingly."

Nihlus nodded. He had learned some time ago about the Council plans concerning Jane and Garrus. To be honest he couldn't wait to bring them the news. After their training they would be assigned to him. Can't wait to show those two my new ship. Oh, we will have so much fun. The turian smiled to himself internally. "As you wish, handsome."

"Stop speaking to me with such disrespect, Kryik! I am your boss, not the other way around!"

"Sparatus, I still think that letting that human scum be a Spectre is too much." Saren said angrily. He had tried to persuade Councillor Sparatus for some time but had achieved nothing in the matter. "Humans are a stupid and arrogant race that should be placed lower than vorcha!"

"Eh, Saren… my dearest friend. You talk so much bullshit that my ear canals will start to bleed." Nihlus replied to Saren's words with a merry mood. He had talked to the older Spectre so many times about changing his attitude toward humans, that he already lost count. "Humans are smart, strong and can achieve a lot. And your brother was just unlucky. You can't hate a whole race because your younger brother died in a fight with them. Stop this nonsense. We are at peace now and everyone is glad about it."

"Shut up, Nihlus. I know too fucking well that you like that human bitch. It disgusts me. I thought you were worthy of something, Kryik. You were my protegee, my friend. Now… I don't want to have anything in common with you." Saren's words were like acid. He spilled all his resentment and anger on Nihlus and his affection toward Jane and humans.

Nihlus didn't show how the older turian's words hurt him. Saren was his mentor, someone he looked up to. He had wanted to be like him once. That had changed after the war. After Desolas' death, Saren had changed for the worse. "Heh. So good to hear all those kind words in the morning, my beloved mentor." Kryik replied sarcastically. "You know what? Fuck you."

"Stop you two. Saren, it was already decided a long time ago. So shut up and don't make me angry. Or maybe you really want to be sent on a mission to Tuchanka? Hmm?" Sparatus glared at Saren for a moment, waiting for some reply but Arterius stayed silent. "Good. Now, Nihl-"

"Councilor, Mr. Castis Vakarian wishes to speak with you." The voice of Sparatus' secretary rang through the intercom.

"Castis? What the fuck does he want? And what's he doing on the Citadel?" The councilor by this point was really pissed off. His day was going from bad to worse. "Let him in. You two, stay silent and don't say anything about what we talked about earlier."

xXx

Castis was furious. His own son told him to leave. He took a skycab and went to the one place he actually could do something - the Presidium. When he reached it, Castis Vakarian headed straight for the Council Tower. The turian approached the Turian Councilor's office, in front of Sparatus' office, a turian secretary was typing on his computer. "Good day, I'm here to speak with Councilor Sparatus. It's urgent."

"Please wait a moment, Sir." The secretary turned to his computer and activated the intercom link. "Councilor, Mr. Castis Vakarian wishes to speak with you." When he got approval he turned to Castis again. "Please go in, Sir."

Older Vakarian stepped into Sparatus' office, seeing the Councilor with Saren and Nihlus. "Good morning. Oh, Nihlus and Saren, good to see you both."

"Castis, hello… sorry for asking, but… what are you doing on the Citadel?" Kryik was a bit flummoxed. He was aware that it would be bad if Garrus' father knew about his son's and Jane's feelings. Then realisation hit him. Fuck! He had to have watched the Galactic News yesterday. Shit…

"You know exactly why I came, Nihlus. Don't play dumb." Castis turned toward Sparatus with a serious look on his face. "Councilor, I want my son to be divorced. He can't stay in that stupid marriage. I don't know what that human did to him, but I can't lose my son. Garrus can achieve so much!"

Before Sparatus or Nihlus could reply, Saren started to laugh. "Ha! You see! Humans are like a disease. I bet she did something to that poor boy. Humans should be wiped from the galaxy, once and for all!"

"Saren!" The councilor roared at the older Spectre. "Leave now! And prepare for Tuchanka!" He could hear Nihlus' quiet snort but didn't say anything, too tired with this day already. And it was only the beginning.

Arterius regarded his boss with an icy glare that could kill. He growled and mumbled to himself. "Asshole." Then left without saying goodbye.

For a long moment, the remaining three turians stayed in silence. The councilor regarded the serious turian and tried to think about his words. From what he had seen on the vid-feed from the council's shuttle and from the Galactic News - Vakarian's son was in really good relationship with his human wife. And that didn't look like false feelings, but actual love. After a moment he came up with an answer. "He won't divorce. If Garrus himself won't come and ask for this, backed up with a damn good explanation, I won't do anything."

"But..."

"No buts! Nihlus, you know Garrus and Jane better than most. What can you tell me about their relationship?"

Nihlus was really happy to stay there in the back and observe the whole situation until the Councilor turned to him with his question. For a moment he regarded his boss with wide eyes. It took him a second to collect himself. "Well… they are in love. I myself have smelled it from Vakarian. They had a small fight recently and Jane found about the details concerning the attack on her from two months ago. But they clarified things and are good now. From my, ekhm, reliable source, I knew they had searched for ways to be… intimate." The turian didn't look at Garrus' father, but could bet all his credits that the older male was utterly shocked.

"No… it can't be… my son isn't like that."

"He is." Nihlus replied. He knew that older Vakarian was traditional to the core. That he respected traditions, tiers and all that shit that Palaven stank with. Nihlus had also hoped that maybe Castis could change. Kryik sighed heavily then turned at last toward Garrus' father. "Castis, listen to me. You will lose Garrus… Kalea and Sol too. Your family. Stop being so stubborn!"

"NO! You two don't understand! My family tier is at stake here. Garrus' tier. He could be something. He is a capable young turian and should be with one of our own… not some… human." Castis tried to persuade Sparatus again but the turian Councilor wasn't moved by his pleas. When his efforts were futile he turned around. "I see I won't achieve anything here. Good, I'll leave. But remember my words, I won't stop!" Then he left the office more angry than when he entered.

xXx

After Jane had rested for a while and felt better, she and Garrus prepared breakfast for their guests. All of them waited anxiously for Castis to show up again. Kalea, her father and mother-in-law along with Garrus, had tried to come up with some plan. All of them knew too well that it would be hard to persuade the traditionalist turian to change his mind.

Four hours passed had past before the doors pinged with an incoming guest. Garrus looked through the console to see his father. He opened the doors and Castis stormed inside just to stop abruptly and regard the additional turians in the apartment. "Wha-... Why are all of you here? What is going on?"

"Yes, that's a brilliant question, Castis! What is going on here?" Septimus stood up from the couch. The elder turian regarded his son-in-law with anger, folding his arms and waiting for his reply. "Because, frankly, I don't understand. And I'd like to hear your explanation."

Before Castis could say anything, his mother's voice sounded from the kitchen. "Son, I am so disappointed in you. What would your father say? His spirit is angry, I'm certain. This is no Vakarian way of dealing with things." She stepped to her son with a low growl. "You attacked Jane! What did you hope to achieve?!"

Castis looked at his mother, then his father-in-law, slipping his gaze to Kalea who was sitting next to Jane. Something in her eyes made him shiver. "Kalea… I…"

"I don't want to listen to your explanation, Castis. I just don't." The turian woman growled deeply. Turning her head away from her husband. "You have changed so much that I don't see the man I fell in love with anymore. I don't see the man I have children with… I see a poor excuse of a turian that is concerned only with his tier."

"Which will get lower as I revoke your rights for Kalea's tier as Vakarian! I feel shame for giving my daughter to you. Once you were capable of something, Castis. Now you act like a piece of trash, just like that Saren!" The retired General was more than angry, he looked furious. He approached Castis. The latter turian shrank in himself under the General's hard gaze. "Your father never cared about his tier that much. Vakarian's are high-tiered anyway! Such a wealthy and strong clan! You want to destroy them or what?!"

"Don't you all understand?! Garrus could be someone! I don't want him to end up with just this shit!" Castis Vakarian straightened his back with the small bit of courage he could muster. "Father left me the clan to make it better!"

Septimus snorted at his son-in-law's poor excuses. "And how you expect to do that? By what?! Forcing your son to divorce and then forcing him to marry a girl of your choosing?! I thought forced marriage was banned something like, 5 centuries ago… This is stupid..."

"He was FORCED to marry THAT thing in the first place!" Vakarian senior pointed at Jane, sitting between Solana and Zanya. He didn't bat an eye at her black neck or scratches.

"And you didn't say a single thing back then, Castis. What changed your mind?" Kalea spat viciously. "You said he would be a hero. You were proud that the Council had chosen our son specifically. But something happened that you didn't expect, am I right? Your son started to like his human wife. Not like! He grew to love her. That's really xenophobic of you. And to think your own sister has an asari wife and child."

"That's different! Asari who live on Palaven have tier ranks just like turians. She's human. Garrus should have know his place!"

All turians turned and regarded Castis with shocked expressions. His rage over Garrus' tier and his marriage made no sense to them. Turians were hierarchized by their tiers, that was common knowledge but it wasn't a competition, to raise it at all costs. For them it was unthinkable that someone would make such a scene, to force someone to do something against his will.

"Have you ever asked the boy what he wants?" Hamras was slowly losing it. Like everyone else, she couldn't believe her son. The turian female turned to Garrus. "Garrus, my boy, what do you want? Share with us and your father."

"You know well, Grandmother, I want to be with my wife. Find a good job and live a normal life. I love her." Garrus stepped to his father, an aura of confidence surrounding him. At last he could say what he wanted to do, to be and with whom he wanted to be with. "I am sorry I lied to you during our last conversation, father, but I… I was simply a coward. I should have told you the truth long ago. I cared about my tier only because of you, dad. But I don't want to live without Jane anymore. She has shown me who I really am."

"I don't agree with that!" Castis roared. "Why are you all against me?!"

"Because you are wrong…" Kalea said sadly. "I always supported you… For me, you were always right. But you've changed so much… I can't be around you right now."

Jane regarded the whole scene feeling awkward and out of place. She also felt she was the main reason for the whole situation. Her throat didn't want to cooperate with her, as she wanted to say something, anything. But what she could do? She wasn't in any place to say anything. This fight wasn't hers, it was Garrus' and his family's. Still, it hurt. It hurt so much.

"You can't do this…"

"Yes I can. I want you to leave, Castis. I want you to vanish from my sight." Kalea turned her face from her husband. Her chest ached and her secondary vocals let everyone know how much pain she was in.

"Leave, Castis." General Oraka said firmly.

Older Vakarian watched his wife. He could hear her painful keen. It wasn't something that would change his mind but it made him stop his rant over Garrus' situation. The thought of losing his beloved wife and whole family in the process was like a cold shower of realisation, maybe he was wrong afterall? Maybe Garrus and Nihlus were right that he WILL lose his family because of his stubbornness? If everyone was against him, if everyone was thinking that he was wrong… then maybe he really was wrong. Castis quickly decided one thing - it's better to leave now than pull this shit any longer. "Fine. I'm going back to Palaven. Please excuse me." He turned around just to bump into Kryik. "Nihlus, goodbye. I hope we will meet on Palaven sometime in the not too distant future."

"Castis. Um, yes, that would be nice." The Spectre dipped his head then looked around to see Garrus' family gathered in the apartment. "Oh, I see everyone is here."

"Goodbye." Father Vakarian said then left, making everyone else fall silent. Kalea sat next to her mother, starting to keen even louder. General Oraka took the place next to her and stroked her fringe lightly.

"Well, that was unexpected." Nihlus said when the silence prolonged. "Just like my whole day." He approached Jane, sat on the table beside her and instantly saw her black, bruised neck. "Jane! What happened, for Spirit's sake!" He leaned to her and almost took her neck into his hands. Almost, because Garrus stopped his outstretched hands.

"Can you refrain from touching my wife, Nihlus?" Vakarian watched him for a moment with suspicion but when he saw that Kryik pulled back from Shepard, he relaxed. "And what are you doing here anyway?"

"Council orders, as always. Because you are a poor friend that won't invite me in. I brought you two this..." He handed Garrus a datapad. Vakarian took it and read it in silence. His mandibles and eyes widened with every sentence. "I know you can't believe it, my friend, but it's the truth. Everyone, please listen, because it's important. Once Garrus asked me why the Council married him to Jane. Well there are a lot of reasons: to make a bond between our two races, to bring fresh blood and DNA to the Galaxy, to show humans that aliens aren't that bad and aggressive… and to make these two - the best soldiers that each race could provide - a pair of Spectres."

"What?!" Jane asked, not believing Nihlus' words. If she hadn't have known him for some time, she would have taken it as a joke. Shepard knew this strange turian, that when he was joking - he was joking, and that when he was serious - he never would never dare to joke. "They… want us… as Spectres?"

"Yes." Kryik nodded. "Next month you two will start your Spectre training. It usually takes one year. While it goes on, you won't be able to leave the Citadel, so you'd better finish every unfinished business outside of the place. When you pass, and I'm certain both of you will pass with flying colours, you will be my protegees. Isn't that fun?!" Nihlus bounced on the table, that thrilled was he.

"Yaaay!" Jane pulled herself up then jumped over the couch to hang on Garrus. "We will do some badass shit, hun!"

"Spirits, Jane…" The turian embraced the woman with one hand, still holding the datapad in the other. "I… can't believe it…" He couldn't believe how lucky he was. First of all he had the woman he loved and now he could become a Spectre - a dream job that he had always wished for. Garrus threw the datapad on the couch and embraced his wife dearly, joining his forehead with her. "We are the luckiest couple in the entire universe!"

Everyone cheered for Garrus and Jane. Nihlus explained some details and after a long chat over the Spectre matter, Kryik could at last ask about the strange behaviour of older Vakarian. Not that he was surprised, he was a bit shocked to see him on the Citadel but wasn't surprised about his demands and behaviour overall. It wasn't any news to him that Castis wanted Garrus achieve a higher tier. The poor turian thought that it was Garrus' dream to achieve Spirits-know-what, when in truth, it was so much different. Even if Garrus said himself that tier mattered for him, Nihlus knew better. It mattered for Castis and because his son wanted to appeal to his father - Garrus tried his hardest so that the tier would be important for him too. Kryik knew also that it would backfire on Garrus sooner or later. It did - twice. The first when Jane was attacked, the second with lying to his father and all the needless drama that took place a few days ago and now.

"Okay, okay! Now that we have the official part behind us… I need to say that this day has brought a lot of interesting things… for example: Castis met with Sparatus this morning… demanding a divorce for Garrus. Of course Sparatus declined. I understood he saw yesterday's news."

Garrus with his grandfather and mother explained everything to Nihlus. "Oh, I see… I told you Garrus, that if you stop being an asshole and idiot, your life will be brighter and less problematic. All of this shit could have been avoided."

"Nihlus, mind your language." Kalea said automatically. "Let's not talk about it anymore. Since we are all already on the Citadel… let's have a short vacation. What do you think?" She asked the elders. They nodded and agreed to that plan. Solana was the happiest turian Jane had ever witnessed in her life.

Jane was happy that she could spend time with Hamras and the Oraka's, as well as her mother-in-law and Solana. Yet she realised one thing - their apartment could not accommodate 5 turians. It was enough for her and Garrus but having more guests than one was a problem. "But… our apartment is small. Garrus you need to book rooms for everyone…"

"No need, sunshine." Nihlus approached Jane and, to irk Garrus, he took her hand into his. Snorting at the growling turian next to him. "Kalea, my apartment is big enough, 5 of you will fit just fine. Let's all go there and spend some time together. What do you think?"

"We don't want to cause problems, Nihlus. You have your work and…"

"Don't you worry about it. Sparatus gave me the whole week free." He looked at Kalea with a plea in his eyes. "What do you think?"

"If there is no problem then yes, Nihlus. At last we can spent some time with you. Because of your work we see each other far too little. Even your mother is complaining about your rare visits." Kalea stood up and opened her omni-tool to call the dock service. She ordered the delivery of all their luggage to Kyrik's apartment. "So… I think we should start by visiting the Presidium."

xXx

"Ah, it was good to see everyone again. And we didn't have to wait too long for the meeting." Shepard said after entering the apartment, the whole day spent with Garrus' family. "Although it's a pity that it was because of such bad circumstances… I'm a bit concerned about mother… will she be alright?"

Garrus guided Jane toward the couch in the living room and sat her gently on his lap. "She will. I hope… I hope that father will sort things out on Palaven. It's just that he hasn't heard the news about us becoming Spectres… that will be another heavy blow."

"Why?"

"Because he hates Spectres. Remember that father was a C-Sec officer. He respects law over all things. And Spectres are above law, they can do whatever they want if it means finishing a mission with success." Vakarian moved Jane to lay on the couch, hovering above her with a lustful gaze. "And soon, my beautiful wife, we will be Spectres… I have dreamed about becoming one… Nihlus always said that I should join him, to rock the galaxy, the two of us. Now with you… Spirits, we will be unstoppable!"

"Oh, Ego, I missed you for a while." The woman giggled, her hands were stroking the turian's fringe. "You think I'll pass this training?"

"Of course, you are smart, strong and you have me as your husband." Garrus' head moved to the crook of Jane's neck, scraping his teeth on her skin lightly. "I can't wait to do something. After those years of war, six months of lazing in the apartment is totally boring."

"Hey, don't tell me we don't have fun now." Jane slid her hands on his arms, then to the sides to place them on Garrus' waist. He growled at the feeling. "I'm going to take a shower."

"And I'm going to join you." He quickly pulled himself up and tossed Jane's body over his arm.

She squealed adorably and let him take her to the bathroom, dangling her head down behind his back. "You do know that you're a very naughty and shameless turian?"

"Oh, I know that, love. I certainly know about that." Vakarian pulled her down, sliding her body against his. "Now let's take all those silly human clothes off, shall we?"

"You say silly but I know you liked my sexy outfit from two days ago… you want to have another round?" She asked while Garrus took off her hoodie and top, leaving her only in her bra. "Let's see how you perform this time."

"Challenge accepted." Garrus embraced Jane, his fingers fumbled on the bra clasps for less than a minute. He unclasped it then quickly pulled the piece of clothing from the woman's chest to discard it on the floor. "See? I'm the best."

"Pfff, better use those hands for something better."

Garrus only grinned and pulled her pants, along with underwear, down then quickly removed his own clothes. They stepped into the shower stall and closed the glass doors to have some nice hot time together, not stopping there but on the bed, until both of them were too exhausted to move.

Next morning they quickly washed and put clothes on. Without breakfast or any other delays, they went to Nihlus' apartment. Everyone was already awake and waiting for them to go sightseeing again. In the evening Kryik suggested something great. "Let's go to the Armax Arena!"

Solana jumped happily next to Nihlus. "Yaaay! I'm in your team, Ni!"

"Of course, my precious. No one can be with me but you." The turian hugged Solana.

Garrus looked at them then turned to Jane. "That will be bad…"

"Why?"

"Because Nihlus trained her… they know everything about each other. Secret signs, strategy, everything. Okay, but we have worked together too…"

Everyone went to the Armax Arsenal Arena, only Garrus and Jane had to return to the apartment for their gear. When both pairs were suited and had chosen their weapons, they entered the arena. Garrus' mother and grandparents sat in the lounge and observed their game.

"Okay, hun, better focus and we're good. We were at war for a long time, we know what to do. Not to mention we are regulars here. Shoot those bloody mercs and be faster than Nihlus and Solana." Jane said and checked her pistol and shotgun. "I'll take the close ones while you do the ranged."

"I've already told you, I wrote the book."

"Yadda, yadda. I can see that this is some serious shit. Family competition that is." The woman patted Garrus on the armored arm and checked the time to start. "We have one minute. Better take your position." Jane also took up position, just almost in the center of the arena. The battle would start within seconds, the woman could feel adrenaline rush, like every time before the fight, whether it was for real of not. When the holograms of mercenaries started to show up she killed each with deadly efficiency. Her precise shots, backed up with Garrus' headshots bought them lots of points.

But Nihlus and Solana weren't passive at all and Jane could see they had almost the same score, they missed only 3 to them. Soon round 1 ended with a victory for team Garrus and Jane. The second round ended the same but round 3 and 4 were won by Solana and Nihlus. The last round would decide the winner. This time they were to defeat each other. Team versus team without any holo mercs spawning on the map. The arena changed, blocks that made cover, rose up.

"What's the plan?" Jane asked while there was a small break between rounds. She was breathing heavily, sweat on her face and her damp hair. Yet she still had strength to fight and a smirk on her face.

"I'm thinking about a trap…" Garrus replied enigmatically while studying the area. "Listen: I want you to lure them here. His finger pointed at a spot on the map with his omni-tool, a small shiny dot appeared on the place. "Use your cloaking to distract them."

Shepard nodded and smiled. She knew his tactics well. She had gotten used it on one of their numerous encounters. Two minutes later, Jane was leading Solana and Nihlus into a trap. Each of them were approaching her from different directions. She ran from one place to another, hiding and appearing in turns. The woman was focused on her mission, she knew that one wrong step would be fatal - just like in real battle. Jane led both turians into a corner, they stopped looking puzzled at each other when Jane became invisible.

"Scoped and dropped!" Garrus yelled from his cover when his headshot took all of Nihlus' HP, meanwhile Jane appeared behind Solana and shot her a few times.

"Sorry, Sol! But remember I love you and you're my number one." With that, the match was over. Team Garrus and Jane won the match, 3 to 2.

The four of them left the arena and went to their respective changing rooms, joking and having fun along the way. Solana was really excited and happy despite her loss. "Spirits, Jane, I can't believe how awesome you were. And why is your hair so wet?"

"Oh, it's sweat. I'll go and wash it. Wait for me, 'kay?" The young turian female nodded eagerly. Shepard went to have a quick shower then went out and put her clothes on. Solana was ready but waited for Jane to finish. By the time the two of them left the changing room, Garrus and Nihlus were already in the lounge where Kalea and the turian elders were watching the game.

Jane wasn't surprised to see the lounge filled with various aliens. Her games with Garrus always attracted a huge audience. She also saw one human - Josephine Clark. "Josey!" She yelled, waving at her friend.

Josey turned around and smiled at Jane. "Jane! That was so awesome! You rocked the arena."

"I didn't know you were coming here. We have to come together next time." Jane hugged Josey and quickly led her to her turian family. "Josey, please meet my family: Garrus' mother - Kalea. His grandmothers - Zanya and Hamras and this handsome gentleman is General Septimus Oraka - my husband's grandfather. This sweet thing is Garrus' sister - Solana."

"It's a p-pleasure, I-I'm Josephine Clark." The woman was a bit nervous of being around six large turians, Jane patted her on the back and whispered that it was fine. "It's good to see you again, Commander Vakarian."

"Likewise, Ms. Clark." Garrus regarded Josephine, again her hair had changed - still mostly black but now part of it was red, like Jane's, with white streaks. For him, as a turian, human hair was strange… he got used to the fiery hair Jane had but Josephine was something else. He noted internally to ask Jane why her friend's hair was changing colour on a regular basis. Vakarian would have mused about the matter longer but suddenly he was pushed aside.

"Sunshine! You forgot about the absolutely perfect, dashing and devilishly handsome badass Spectre. That's me in case someone didn't know." Nihlus barged through Garrus to present himself to the still nervous human woman. "Spirits… behold! Has anyone seen a more beautiful creature that the fair lady in front of me? What's your name, oh marvelous angel?"

Josey looked at Jane with a helpless gaze. It was the first time for her, to see such behaviour from a turian. Shepard could relate to that, at first she was shocked too but then Nihlus just made his place in her heart. "Don't worry Josey, he's always like that. Please meet Council Spectre - Nihlus Kryik. Nihlus this is Josephine Clark. She came to live here on the Citadel from Earth. We met in the market near Li's shop."

"Such a shame we didn't meet earlier. Bad luck. I hope we will get closer in the future." Nihlus was just Nihlus, as he flirted shamelessly in front of everyone. Ending his pick-up line by kissing Josey on the hand in the human fashion.

Meanwhile Solana approached Jane and whispered to her ear. "Jane, why does Josephine have different coloured hair? I mean… I've seen humans have hair in one colour, like you. She has three colours…"

Jane giggled to herself and leaned to whisper back to the young female. "God, Sol, you are so cute. Humans can dye their hair. Colour it, like Josey here."

"Everyone! Let's go eat something and celebrate Garrus and Jane's victory. My sweet Solana, you were splendid as well. Ms. Josephine, please come with us. Any friend of Jane's is a friend of ours." Septimus took Jane and Solana by the arm and led them out of the Armax Arsenal Arena. Nihlus, with Josephine, behind them.

The time they spent together was fun. Jane was eyeing Josey and Nihlus from time to time. The woman was looking more relaxed with each passing minute. Kryik was leaning to her ear now and then, making Ms. Clark blush. He even dared to touch the red and white part of her hair, then pointing at his plates and clan markings. I just hope he knows what he's doing… or else I'll kick his boney turian ass.

xXx

Razzberry suggested pairing Josey with Nihlus and I think it's super sweet ^^