Chapter 11
"Here's a read out of the incident," the seated human stated holding a datapad in an outstretched arm.
Commander Shepard took possession of the pad, his eyes scanning over its contents carefully. "Bastards got off lucky," Shepard muttered as he read over the details of the C-Sec report.
The human felt his emotions broil, churning in his stomach. He felt anger over the incident, his friend being basically harassed and attacked then being arrested. But, also he felt regret that he had not been there to protect Garrus, to put a stop to things before they got out of hand.
Though it was true, Garrus would have in all likelihood, not wanted him anywhere near him. He wanted to have been there anyways. However, it didn't matter to Shepard as now it was just another situation where he failed to protect a friend.
"So where is he now?"
"One of the higher ups wanted to have a word with him, should be here shortly" Bailey responded without removing his eyes from the screen before him.
Replacing the datapad upon the Captain's desk, Shepard moved off a walking to the opposite side of the office. Placing his back against the open doorway, he began his vigil for the wayward turian. The Commander watched various Officers as they made their way about, some stopping to talk before moving on, a few carrying datapads over attempting to get Bailey's approval on whatever it said.
Listening in he could make out what some were saying.
"Want to go get something to eat?" a krogan in a C-Sec uniform asked a uniformed woman walking beside him.
"Sure, but no more of that krogan stew. It felt like it was gonna eat a hole through my stomach," the woman replied as she held a hand over her abdomen, the krogan chuckled as he glanced to her.
The young woman grumbled, turning she attempted to shove him away. It seemed she succeeded more in moving herself than him. The krogan gave a hearty laugh stopping he reached out placing his hands under her arms lifting her clean into the air.
The girl squealed in surprise as she was suddenly uprooted, the noise attracting many looks from those around including Shepard. Some looked on in concern, other in amusement but the majority were looking on with curiosity scrolled acrossed their faces.
"You put me down right now, you overgrown space lizard!" the undignified cry rang out.
"Ha ha ha, why you seemed so eager to wrestle just a second ago."
"Alright, alright put me down and we can go where ever you want," defeat hung heavy in her words.
The krogan sported a leering grin, "Shall we go back to my place or yours afterwards?"
A stern look was enough to convince him to release her, once down they retreated off into the distance still debating about their upcoming dinner.
Shepard couldn't help but chuckle to himself, seeing a krogan and human together as a couple was not something he thought he would see when he woke up that morning.
Atleast the diversion helped to provide some levity to his mood.
Navigating the building seemed to come to Garrus like second nature, luckily the architecture had pretty the same general layout as all the previous C-Sec divisions he had visited before.
Sure enough the path led him straight where he wanted to go, along the way he passed by the krogan, Tarek, and human girl, Tanya, who had processed him into the system. They didn't seem to take notice of his presence instead they were intent on arguing about where to go for dinner; though to Garrus it seemed Tarek may have had other things on his mind judging by the looks and more lewd comments he dished out.
Looking ahead he could make out the back of an easily recognizable form, Commander Shepard stood leaning back against the doors archway. His head tilted down toward his chest he seemed to be deep in thought about something.
Something in him seemed to make him pause mid-step, this would the first time he had faced him since their parting aboard the Normandy. Garrus swallowed quickly in attempt to remove the lump that seemed to form in his throat.
Clenching a fist as he strode forward "Shepard…"
Shepard remained unmoving turning his head to look at him over his shoulder, "Got things squared away?"
"Yes, things here are under control."
"Very well, let's head out. I have a few places to go before I return to the Normandy you're welcome to tag along or you can return to the ship," the human pushed off the wall moving off pivoting to face him.
Garrus nodded in response following Shepard to the RTV platform, the craft's automated doors swung open for them. Garrus' eyes followed the Commander's movements as he rounded the front of the vehicle before he took a seat, once seated Shepard went through the process of selecting the destination.
The turian climbed into the passenger side seat listening as the onboard V.I restated Shepard's selections for confirmation. Once received, the shuttle came to life taking to the air like a magic carpet.
Silence reigned supreme once more all through the journey, just as it did on their return to the Normandy after the start of this whole mess.
The first stop was to the Zakera Café, there Shepard dealt with getting another consignment of supplies for Gardner sent to the Normandy. Shepard also made sure to have an good allotment of various foods available for both Garrus and Tali, as their dietary needs would not allow them to consume the same foods as the rest of the crew.
From the Café it was off to Radom Encounters.
"Wait here for a moment; it shouldn't take long to get this done."
Garrus seemed surprised by the request but he obeyed silently watching as Shepard stepped out and made his way into the store.
Etarn Tiron, the turian shopkeeper, was busy talking with a pair of humans attempting to sell them on the latest adventure package.
Gradually Shepard moved around the store, looking over what was on display. A wide assortment of gear was laid out, from clothing to weapons, though none of these held Shepard's interest.
"Ah, Commander Shepard welcome back" the shopkeeper announced, his tone implying he had been rather successful dealing with the previous shop occupants.
"I take it they came in already?"
"They're right here behind the counter," the turian then ducked down retrieving something from below. "Here you go."
Reappearing the turian hoisted several metallic cases. The largest one was perhaps 3ft long x 2ft wide x 1ft tall, while smaller ones all varied in size from half the size of the large one down to just half a foot in length.
Shepard opened each slightly to examine the contents.
"Everything seems to be in order," closing the lid on the last case, "How much do I owe you for them?"
"The prices were quite reasonable on all except on this one;" Etarn tapped the large case "this one was rather hard to get a hold of, had to use a few favors."
Shepard looked over the datapad being handed to him, "It is higher than I expected."
"These are well worth the extra creds," the turian's arm swept over the metal cases.
The Commander carefully eyed the being opposite him, "Alright, have them delivered to the Normandy" he spoke handing over a credit chit.
Etarn's mandibles pulled higher as the turian did his to smile looking at the rather large donation on the screen after he scanned Shepard's credit chit "Certainly, it's been a pleasure doing business."
With a nod, Shepard turned leaving the turian's shop and headed back to the awaiting shuttle.
With the doors shut, the shuttle was quick to respond, resuming its preprogrammed course selection. The final destination was back to the Normandy.
It seemed the last leg of the journey was the longest, though in reality it was the shortest.
"I received some information on Sidonis," Shepard spoke calmly as if it was just an everyday topic.
At the mention of that name, Garrus' jaw clenched, mandibles flexed, muscles tensed as his head quickly swiveled to face the one who spoke. However, the majority of the vast foundation of his anger had eroded away, amongst its crumbled remnants some small lump yet lingered.
"What do you mean, Shepard?"
"He went to C-Sec and informed them about what happened on Omega. He mentioned you during his interrogation, seems he is trying to make it up to you."
"Let me guess C-Sec gave their no jurisdiction speech and let him walk right out the door!" the turian's hand waved as to knock something away while his steely gaze was on the human.
"It seems the allegations against him, has attracted the attention of the Turian Hierarchy, and they have launched their own investigation. Sidonis had no qualms against the extradition to face trial under the turian courts."
Garrus' eyes widened with shock. Never did he imagine that Lantar Sidonis, the betrayer; the one who fled changed his name to hide from him would so willingly turn himself in. Shepard observed his mandibles go slack; mouth held agape as this sudden revelation began to sink into his conscious understanding.
Garrus sat facing forward, head tilted down, as he gazed at his hands 'I can't believe it…he turned himself over without so much as a complaint. Even after I nearly killed him, and he hasn't mentioned it to C-Sec.'
Shepard remained silent himself after passing on the information, no doubt Garrus would need a bit of time to absorb it. Returning his gaze forward he watched the traffic, shuttles jockeying for position as they each flew along some ascending while others descended to their landing spots.
Steadily the craft homed in on its target, drawing ever closer. Its final approach didn't take too long to perform, slowly the shuttle drifted downward till it made contact powering down doing so.
Garrus slowly came to the realization that they were no longer in motion, but instead parked on the platform. Looking about he noticed Shepard was no longer in the RTV but was standing just beside his door.
With a hiss the door released swinging upwards, the turian then pivoted throwing his feet out as he pushed himself off the seat and into a standing position before moving off.
Unlike the last time, returning to the Normandy no longer held the same feelings for Garrus. No longer did it loom over him, no longer did it have the feeling of a hostile environment.
In a way of its own, it was almost like going home for the turian.
Author's note: Probably have 1 or 2 chapters left to go in this story, hopefully they will be longer and better than this one was.
