Chapter Thirteen

The word was out, all the crew members started to gather outside the Normandy. Laura and Garrus approached them, everyone looked at them in unison. They could tell something was up, just by how the two carried themselves. His talons were laced around her hand; she seemed to be a bit flushed. Ashley walked up to them to ask them, "Hey so what's going on at your apartment? Is it girl's night already Miller?" She shook her head; walking up the bridge she boarded the Normandy. Garrus waited outside for her, she got onto the elevator.

Going down to the crew Quarters she dashed for her room, grabbing a few items including Trax. He happily bounced around, knowing he was going on some sort of adventure. Once they exited the Normandy Joker walked up to her. Trax was a surprise to anyone who already didn't meet him. "So what's going on?" He glanced at her with EDI who came by his side; Laura smiled "Shepard will explain it to everyone once you get to the apartment, be there in an hour. I live on the north side." EDI spoke "I have the apartment number uploaded it to everyone's omni-tool."

Buzzes overcame the crowd of people as Garrus and Laura left them. Trax knew right where he was, he almost seemed to smile. He knew he was home, the pair passed a C-sec officer who stopped them. "Ma'am you're not allowed to have pets on the Citadel." He clearly had no idea who she was; it had been a while since she took Trax out anyways. "I have authorization to have this pet here by the Citadel" She spoke calmly, pulling out Trax's pass, the officer looked it over. He nodded, "I am sorry to have bothered you - Garrus." He looked at his seemed to be an old friend.

"Oh hello there Vegrull Tyzuris. This is my old partner." He turned to the turian, they shook talons. They seemed to be friendly towards each other, he even said. "How have you been Vikarian?" He looked down at us, our hands still intertwined. "Well this is my girlfriend, Laura Miller. I have been good. Ever since I took down Saren things have been looking up for me." Vegrull's head turned away from them, Laura could feel a bit of guilt setting in. "I'm sorry I never got to help you take that asshole down. I believed you Vikarian, even when no one else did."

"It's all in the past. I understand, I would have done the same if I was pinned down with losing my job." Garrus smiled, his mandible started to flare with passion. Saren still seemed to be a topic he that got him going. "I didn't care but before I knew it you took off with Commander Shepard, who I may say is rather impressive." His blue eyes looked towards Laura, he seemed to be checking her out. "This human you have with you. How did you ever land a girl like her?" Her face became very red when he complimented her.

"Easy, I watched vids on it." He joked with his friend, "I actually fell for her. It was just something about how she challenged me. Thinking she was the better sniper." He looked at her as he continued, "Plus she's very clever, sexy, and just all around a real bombshell." She shook her head, pressing her nails into his skin. "Is this how men really talk about their women?" He snickered; he leaned down he placed a peck on her cheek. "Well I see you two are busy, and I have to get back to work. Maybe we can catch up another time Garrus." The officer nodded, walking off the pair headed towards Laura's apartment.

Once they approached it, Laura opened the door. Trax happily ran inside, running around the place. Looking around she heard something in the bathroom. It was Shepard, she was giving her baby a bath, the water was running. "How did you get in here?" She looked at the woman who clearly got in somehow. "Your house cleaner let me in. She knew who I was so she was kind enough to let me in." she said she was happy the place has been so clean lately. You don't clean much do you Laura?" Shaking her head, Garrus popped his head in. "Hello there commander. This must be your little girl."

Shepard gently poured water over the baby's fragile head, she smiled lightly. "Yes she is mine and Laura's." He looked back at his companion blinking slightly. "Alright let me explain." Laura spoke quietly, "If anything was to happen to Shepard which we all know won't happen. She wanted someone to take care of her child, someone who was family." Shepard picked up the infant, then walked towards the towel rack, pulling one off. She wrapped the baby in it, starting to dry her off Sherry walked to the spare room. Putting the baby in the cradle she brought with her. "Garrus, I wanted to see if you and Laura would take care of her when I am gone.."

The turian looked at her shocked by her words, he nodded but he didn't understand. Why did she want him and Laura to take care of a child? Did the commander already know about the two of them, no she couldn't, he only told one person. It was obvious through how they acted towards each other; Laura's words came over his head. I love you Garrus Vikarian. He said nothing back, what was he to say? Even to Shepard, wanting him to take care of her child. "Alright commander, I will. I promise to help Laura take care of her." Placing a bag down Laura started to go through it, placing a hair care product on the bathroom sink. "Now that I've had time to enjoy my hair blonde; I want it back to my original color. Shepard can you do it now?"

The commander nodded, walking back into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. "Do you have to change it Laura? I like your natural color, but the Blonde does look sexier on you." He teased her slightly, with a laugh coming from the bathroom. Sherry opened the package, starting to mix the color together; she slathered it onto Laura's hair. Slowly it started to go back closer to its natural color, Laura relaxed into the sink. Leaning her small frame up against it, the color was soaking in, the feeling was nice. Shepard started to massage her head, trying to make the hair color even. "Thank you for this commander, I'm really enjoying this." Garrus couldn't help but smile; he enjoyed seeing the two of them like this.

it was all lathered in her hair, now all Laura had to do was wait and see how it would come out. Garrus decided to use this time to explore her apartment, walking through her living room he came across many pictures. one was of her family and Shepard; he noticed a pile of papers under the photo. In big bold letters there was the word adoption with Shepard's name under it, glancing back towards the bathroom, Garrus started to think. Was Shepard Laura's adopted mother? If she was, it would explain how she was living on the Citadel in such a nice apartment. Placing his talon over the picture he smiled, seeing how happy Laura seemed to be.

He could tell from she had a rough life, having someone like Shepard in it was a real turn around for her. Laura seemed like a sensitive girl and it was something he really enjoyed about her. The water started, the steam coming from underneath the door. The turian looked towards it; he strolled over to the couch. Sitting his large frame down, he nestled into the couch, once the door flung open with Shepard and Laura walking out. They started to search around the apartment, "Where did you leave it last?" The girls where now looking for something but what was it? "What are you looking for?" He asked them sitting up.

"A blow dryer." Laura replied, he raised a brow not knowing what it was. It must have been some kind of human thing. He looked around, "What color is the thing?" He fixed his frame looking up at them. "It's black with a red long cord". He rose up starting to look around; he noticed something sticking out of the couch. Pulling it out he held the item in his hand, Laura walked over to him. Her body was covered by a big white towel; her hair was also pulled back in a smaller towel. His face flustered, knowing there was really almost nothing hiding her body.

"Thank you for finding it." Nodding the turian placed one of his arms around her small frame. Pulling her closer to him, he planted a kiss on her lips. Hearing this, Sherry turned around to look at them, just in time to see them kiss. They seemed to be acting more romantic towards each other, something must have happened. Laura placed her arms around his neck, pulling her frame closer to his. One of his talons started to lace around the towel, before anything could happen Sherry came over grabbing onto it.

"None of that while I'm here if you don't mind." She joked with the two of them, which broke the kiss. A groan passed through Laura's lips as she sighed deeply, the turian looked at his commanding officer. "Really commander?" His green eyes lingered towards the red head, who smiled coyly.

Laura shook her head, walking away from him, she understood the way he acted. She was about to do the same thing but she didn't want to get on Shepard's bad side. Laura closed the bathroom door behind her, turning on the blow dryer, she started to dry her hair and even plug in a hair straightener. When her hair was dry, she pulled the straightener through the long hair that was now brown.

The woman could feel her hair being pulled slightly, steam started to rise from her hair. Quickly she pulled it over her shoulders, looking around she started to look for something. "Hey Shepard? Can you go pick me out something to wear?" The red head smiled, walking passed Garrus who still looked a little angered by the interruption of their romantic moment.

Shepard looked through Laura's clothing, picking out some undergarments and a little red dress. Slipping into the bathroom, she handed over the clothing items to her daughter, who quickly got dressed. "Really you had to pick something this tight?" Laura complained, trying to fit her cleavage in the dress.

This made the turian want to see what was happening very badly. Walking over to the bathroom he ducked his head into the small, steam filled room. The door swung open and his face plastered into the wall, he groaned with the pain. "Shit. Garrus!" Laura looked at him, grabbing onto his shoulder.

"Are you alright" She leaned into him placing a kiss onto his cheek. "Yeah I'm fine." He rubbed his head, turning to look at her. The woman had a striking dark red dress on; it was tight in all the right places. Her straight long brown hair tossed over her shoulder and her chest.

"Oh my! You look so damn sexy!" Laura's cheeks became the same deep red as the dress, then there was a knock on the door. "It must be everyone." Laura spoke, Shepard looked at Garrus. "Garrus take Laura to dinner. I'll stay here with everyone and tell to them. You two don't have to stay since you already know."

He nodded, walking up to Laura who opened the door, all crew members started to pile in the apartment. This sent Trax in a frenzy and he started to run around, pushing the people all around. Making Laura laugh hard, until Garrus pulled her out of her apartment, making his way to a sky car.

"I'm going to take you to get the best damn food on the citadel that credits can buy." The turian had a huge smile on his face, he was proud to have Laura and she was proud to have him.

Pulling up to an expensive restaurant Laura's jaw dropped, it was the sushi bar everyone was trying to get into. "Really Garrus you don't have to do this." He nodded, getting out of the sky car he helped her out. Her heels where almost too good, the height making the rather small girl taller than she normally was. They also made not tripping over her own feet quite the challenge.

Garrus placed his arm around her hip as he escorted her into the restaurant. "Be careful now. Yes I'm doing this so stop with the face. This is a real date, try to enjoy it." The host waved the two of them in like VIPs, the others in the line started to snicker at them. They were brought directly to a table, when they arrived Garrus pulled out the chair for her.

Sitting down the young woman relaxed, closing her eyes. "So this is our first real date." He played towards her, the waiter walked over and she ordered some California rolls as well as a dish with an assortment of sushi. While Garrus ordered some dextro assorted sushi, he was stepping out of his comfort zone.

"What do you think about what Shepard said about the baby?" She asked him, his brow rose slowly as he raised his talon to her face, brushing the strands of hair away. "I wouldn't mind that. Not saying I want to settle down with you right away, we just got together but then again we aren't getting any younger."

She laughed at his statement, but she was way younger than he was. Even if it was only by a few years they counted a lot. "Who said I wanted kids?" Laura played him; he smiled lightly his mandible flared. "You don't want to have a family?"

Her head turned; such an odd question to be asking on a first date but she knew it was something he wanted. He seemed like such a family orated being. "I want kids, but I don't think I am ready for something like that right now. Who knows things could change." He smiled lacing his talon over her hand, slowly he held onto her tight.

"Maybe one day we can discuss it." The turian slowly started to rub her hand with one of his digits, rolling it over her skin. It felt so good, feeling the warmth of his touch against hers, knowing now he had felt the same way. One thing came to mind, the way she confessed her love for him.

He never said anything back, to her it felt like a bad thing but something things like that take time. She was willing to give him all the time in the world; it could also be something Turians didn't say lightly. Maybe even saying I love you could be a marriage proposal. The thought drove her mad, and then something caught her eye.

It was the ring, she still had it on. Shit if he found out who knows what could have happened. "Some time in the near future we could talk about it. Perhaps we could even talk about marriage." He looked at her, taking a deep breath holding in everything she spoke.

She wanted to marry him, even if he didn't say I love you back to her. Was she crazy? No she was in love, with him. It made him feel like he was wanted. Even with all the things that went wrong in his life, he still had someone who wanted him. Not just physically but emotionally.

"That would be great Laura." He spoke, while the waiter placed their food in front of them. They began to eat, for once in her life Laura was enjoying herself, laughing, letting her guard down. Garrus didn't know why, but he didn't need to know why to enjoy it.

Dinner came to a close, it was around nine o'clock and the two were just getting back from their meal. Laura opened her apartment, behind the door was a real angry woman holding onto a baby. Sherry shook her head, slowly watched the two enter Laura's apartment. "Thank you for taking her out Garrus. We'll see you tomorrow."

Laura shot her a look, Sherry clearly had no idea what was going on. "No commander, I invited him to spend the night here with me. If you want us to take care of Arashu then we both should be here." She had a good argument but Sherry didn't want her little girl to grow up so fast. She knew it was about time for her to be doing things with guys though, she was 17.

"Alright Laura I understand. Just for the night though. Tomorrow I'll leave you two to wash and feed her. But I want you both to drop her off at Kolyat's tomorrow afternoon. We have a mission to go on. Sorry this had to be cut short. We have word about the compound on Ardat Yakshi which we've lost contact with. Good night."

Walking away she strolled into the guest bedroom, leaving the two of them alone. It was the first time since they were an official couple that they were alone together in the same room, with no distractions. He had nothing to calibrate but her, it was something he had been waiting for.

To touch her, all over, ravish her. Something told him not to, that he should wait until the time was right. The turian placed a talon over her cheek lightly to pull her into a kiss, slowly she reacted. Kissing him deeply she could feel herself giving into him.

Putting his arms around her back, the turian pulled her frame into his. Deepening the kiss, Laura could feel her body up against his. They were so close they felt like one being. A moment where it felt like the connection between them couldn't be broken. Breaking the kiss she pulled her body away from him. Pulling her heals off; she started to relax a bit.

Laura walked to her bedroom, he followed right behind her. Getting up onto her bed he laid down, "Oh my spirits! This bed is amazingly comfortable." She smiled at him, "Now close your eyes please. I'm going to change." Complying he closed his eyes.

Quickly she changed into a big t-shirt and her panties. Knowing what could happen, he didn't care he just took one look at her. When she joined him on the bed, Garrus pulled his human companion closer to his frame.

Resting her head on his chest, she felt his chest going up and down with every breath he took. She started to relax, closing her eyes. Pulling the sheets up, the couple lounged on the bed. "You know what Garrus?" He turned his head, his green eyes looking down at her.

"Yes Laura?" he called to her sweetly. "I enjoyed the time we've had together; it made me really feel close to you. I really enjoyed that feeling." The expression on Garrus was priceless, he couldn't help it. The words she was saying to him it was so romantic. "So my romantic, um skills have made an impression." He smiled lightly his mandible flared lightly.

"They have, you're very romantic. I hope my charm is working. It seemed to have worked so far. And you did ask me out so that must mean something." The woman's eyes glanced up, locking eyes with his. He pulled her into another kiss, wrapping this arm around her.

She could feel something in her body just fighting to get out, something urge to climb on top of him ravish his body but she stopped herself. Breaking a kiss they curled up with each other, slowly the woman kissed his cheek. "That felt amazing. I wish we could do that again." Laughing Laura nuzzled into his chest.

"We could all night, but I think it would be best if we got some sleep before Shepard has both of our asses." He nodded in agreement, "We have a lot to do in the morning anyways." He rolled his head into the pillow allowing him more room; he pulled her closer to his frame.

Closing his eyes, he started to nod off along with her not too far behind him.