Kaidan never claimed to be well-read nor book smart, but he did spend his free time reading old books from Earth. A simpler time was represented in most of the books he chose; ones without a universe wide alien attack, that is. He even enjoyed those about the future that never seemed to come close to what actually happened. Back at the academy, he found books lying dormant in what seemed to be an abandoned janitor's closet. He grabbed as many as he could and read when they weren't busy with training and exercises. Nowadays, he orders them to read on his omni-tool but still has the good old paper and leather versions under his bunk.

This particular story dealt with a murder being investigated by two unlikely partners, similarly to his own situation except this was a group of unlikely people dealing with multiple murders. His eyes were brought up to the door from the glow of his screen when the turian walked in.

"It always seems so peaceful down here" Garrus commented after being greeted with silence.

"I prefer it that way" he said as he turned off the program on his omni-tool, "Everything okay? I mean, Shepard seemed distressed to say the least."

Making his way to the couch across from his human counterpart, minus the biotics of course, he decided to go with the civil conversation first, "Well I wanted to know if you knew anything more than the standard "Shepard escaped slavers on her own" story that everyone has heard of. You knew her before I did and I'm sure she had to share something with you. You see," he took a deep breath and sunk into the cushion, "I was there. I was scouting and things went..well they went south."

"Wait."

Kaidan sat upright like a jolt hit him, "You were there? How? What?" his breath escaping as his mind thought about the nights Shepard cried in his arms as she shared her scarred memories.

A stern hand stopped his thoughts as if a knife slicing through the air between them, "Just, let me explain" he pulled is hand back down and clasped it with his other one, "I was looking for a man and I had heard rumors that he'd be on Mindoir that day. I didn't know what would bring him there but I knew he'd show. I set up with just my rifle and enough ammo to take out a small squad of guards. Then..they landed. I took out as many people as I could but I ran out of shots. By the time backup arrived, the Batarians were long gone. Troops checked the area while they shipped me back to headquarters. I imagine that's when they found her."

He paused for a moment to let Kaidan take in the information. Clearly he had heard about Shepard's personal story of that day, as he had expected, but he wasn't sure how much of that story she had actually told him. Hopefully, he had something helpful so he could understand more clearly.

"So..did you see her? Were you able to help her escape?" Kaidan didn't really know what to say, but maybe if he had helped her out, it would make things easier to believe.

"I did. But that was before they landed while I was scoping the area. Once I saw them land, I checked for all the civilians and did what I could, but I didn't see her among any groups in my sight. Seeing her on the Citadel, the same girl, I was shocked. I tried to play it off smoothly so she wouldn't notice any of my disbelief and I guess it worked. It's work up until..well yesterday. I knew I had to tell her before we went on another suicide mission. Now she won't even look at me.." his head dropped into his hands, "I was hoping you would know maybe something more than she had told me about that day. Why she would get so upset at me.."

As Kaidan thought about the stories she had told him, he remembered that she would always drop off at a certain point. "Something happened in the garage. She could never really say what, but every time she tried to tell me, that's where she stopped. I can't imagine that she would blame you for that though. How could anyone who was aware of whatever was happening in there, let it continue? You know? Like, if she saw you in there, watching, I could see a reason for anger but you weren't even in the town from the sounds of it."

He looked up slowly, "No, I was on a hill behind the town. She..you know she does the same thing when she tells me the story. It has something, no, everything to do with what happened in there. But, how can I even ask about it if she won't talk to me?"

"I don't think my asking will help at all. She'll know instantly that you talked to me about it."

"As with everyone else.."

"Maybe ask for a civil conversation for each of you to bring one question that will have to be answered. Then she can ask whatever is really eating away at her and you can ask what happened in the garage. Other than that, I'd say wait upon the wrath of a woman and never bring it up again."

The turian was always weary of taking advice from Kaidan, not because he didn't trust him, but because sometimes it felt like he knew Shepard better than he had. Sure they were together before her death, but it was such a short period of time. And yes, Garrus and Shepard had only been 'together' for about a year now but he felt like it'd been ages. He couldn't let it end now. He had to hold on to her, as tightly as possible, and learn everything he could about his love.

"I'll have to try that. I can't think of much else and I can't stand her being mad at me" he finally says after a few minutes of silence.

Kaidan nods, "I'm sure she'll get over the anger soon. I for one, couldn't stay that angry when I found out she worked for Cerberus because they brought her back. Don't take this the wrong way, but I care about her, Vakarian. I can never love her like I used to, that feeling was destroyed when I saw her face again. She will always be a fond memory and a close friend. I don't blame her for going into the arms of someone who was there for her, no matter what, but I swear, I will protect her from anyone who really hurts her. Including you. Think of me as her guardian angel when she doesn't have her Archangel." He pauses and laughs a bit, "Well I'm all cheesed out for the rest of my life. I hope you guys can make this right, she loves you too much for it not to. Now you'll have to excuse me, I need to get some of whatever's being cooked in the mess. My stomach is rumbling from the hints of pepperoni in the air." Kaidan stood up and gave Garrus a friendly pat on the back and left the room before Garrus had a chance to think about what he just heard.

"Note to self, find out what being "cheesed out" means.." he said under his breath as he opened a new message and sent Shepard exactly what Kaidan had recommended.

SEND NEW MESSAGE

RECIPIENT CDR SHEPARD

Shep,

I think we need to have a conversation without yelling. Think of one question you have for me about what I had told you and I will have one ready as well. Meet you in your quarters tonight? Around 8? I'll bring a decent meal too. If you would rather meet me in the battery, that would be alright too. Please..I just can't stand you being mad with me..

I love you

G. Vakarian

END TRANSMISSION

Before leaving the lounge, he took the note he found in Shepard's quarters and left it on the table next to the chair Kaidan was sitting in. He wasn't really mad about that anymore, but sort of relieved that she did have someone to protect her when, or if he couldn't.