Flynn seemed stunned only able to utter one word.

"Archangel."

After a pause that felt like an eternity Flynn spoke again, "I thought you were dead?"

Garrus answer wasn't threaten, it was cold and spoken in a matter of fact tone, "I am dead. Now release the girl and go."

Flynn's shock from seeing an old ghost subsided. He took a moment and looked between myself and Archangel. He almost chuckled when he vocalized his perception, "Blue clan markings."

Flynn loosened his grasp on my arm allowing it to slip away from him. He also took a step back from Vakarian and me as he said his farewell.

"Echo, I would have loved for this night to have gone on and normally I would have fought for you, but…" He then looked over to Garrus as he finished his last words.

"I can't win this."

The turian then turned and walked away. His mood some what jovial, almost as if musing at a private joke.

I watched his back longer than Vakarian did. I felt Garrus's focus shift to me while I sill looked toward the direction Flynn had left in. The weight of his eyes brought back the events of the evening. Why now? Why had he interrupted me now? Sooner would have been okay and later would have been much more preferred. If it had been sooner I never would have been angry at him for not recognizing me and not angry now for interrupting. Now all that anger was building up.

Vakarian spoke first, "I'm escorting you back to the Normandy…Now"

He grabbed me by arm as if he was expecting to collect some sort of bounty once I was back on board the ship.

"What about Jack and Grunt?"

"I had a team escort them back earlier when we located them."

"So I'm last. Why? Did you have trouble spotting me?"

I felt a hitch in his gate which brought a smug smirk to my face. It was almost as if we were going to talk about things here and then he thought better of it. I on the other hand was still swimming in my own hormonal rage. So I tried to provoke him.

"What was it that other fellow called you again? Archangel?"

I felt his talons tighten increasing pressure to his hold on me. He then altered our course back to the ship slightly slinging me around to bring me face to face in a dark alcove.

"You will not use that name again. Especially here on Omega."

"How did Flynn know it?"

"Flynn used to give Archangel intel. Whenever new members of local gangs like the Blue Suns, got their tattoos or had there tattoos altered to go undercover for gang related purposes he would let me know. That's all I'm saying on the matter. Now no more questions."

We then resumed our prior course with the same haste as before. Upon reaching the docking bay to the Normandy Garrus stopped allowing me to enter first. I turned to see what the hold up was and realized he was listening to someone on his comm. He motioned for me to continue inside.

"Go on ahead, I have to go buy back the Hammerhead before the Talon's sell it. Shepard asked me to go haggle for a good price."

"Six thousand credits should do it, that's what I promised them when I came back. Why don't you take me with you that will make things easier."

"While I'm sure they remember you, I don't think they'd recognize you now."

And with that Garrus motioned for the door's to close and the decontamination process started. When the Normandy's doors finally opened I was back on board. The pilot greeted me in normal fashion. Or rather normal fashion for Joker.

"So did you get a chance to brace eternity?"

I turned towards the CIC avoiding his comment only to be surprised by Matthews.

"I heard the asari you were with was a real looker. I can't wait until I can see Sha'ira."

After seeing my shocked expression over their knowledge of recent events Crewman Hadley offered, "Jack's been running around telling everyone. Nothing really stays a secret on a small ship for long."

Without an appropriate answer to give on the subject I continued on once more. As I made my way to the elevator I saw Mr. Taylor leaning against the door to the Armory with his hands across his chest. He motioned from me to come closer. When I headed his way he motioned for me to follow him as we stepped inside door closing behind us.

"I heard about your little escapades."

"I'm sure you haven't heard everything."

He chuckled at my response as he leaned against this work station to talk. I took my usual place leaning against the opposite table with weaponry laid out on it.

I could sense he was uncomfortable with what he wanted to say due to his lack of eye contact. When he finally had the gumption to say what he pulled me aside for he adjusted his posture and stood straighter.

"You know you don't have to go to Omega looking for a companion. There's bound to be someone on the ship that peaks your interest."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's right." I prompted trying to compel the conversation forward to see where he was getting.

"If you were interested I'm available to help you with anything you might need."

And there it was. I tried not to laugh. I couldn't see myself with Jacob that way.

"Jacob, I like you as my friend. You're a good friend and I don't want that dynamic to change. So while I appreciate you wanting to attend to my needs, you don't have to."

His whole demeanor changed. He smiled genuinely and the invisible weights that had been placed on his shoulders melted away. All of the prior awkwardness I had felt from him was gone now too. He was solely my friend and he enthusiastically expressed himself as such when he reached for my hand.

"We live, we'll get loud, and spill some drinks on the Citadel."

The exchange made me laugh out loud when he pulled me close to him. I was immensely happy having now defined our relationship out loud. He now treated me in the same manner I had seen with Commander Shepard.

I was just about to ask when we were actually going to spill drinks on the Citadel when the door leading to the Armory from the conference room opened. Miranda Lawson tried to act nonchalant about the intrusion.

I could tell she came to the Armory to talk with Taylor so I excused myself.

"It's okay, I was just leaving."

I left the Armory the same way I came in. I once again tried to make my way to the elevators.

-Armory-

Echo had just left leaving Mirada and Jacob alone to talk. Irritated Jacob turned to work on his console hoping to discourage Ms. Lawson from attempting conversation.

It didn't work. Miranda approached his work station and asked, "So have you heard what happened on Omega?"

"Yeah, I was informed by one of the ground members."

"So what happened?"

"Apparently she danced with an asari then had a drink with a turian. She then later left the club with the turian before Officer Vakarian caught up to her. And now she's back on board. Not much to tell really."

"Not much to tell! I really owe Garrus for this one. I think she spends too much time with him. I don't know why Shepard hasn't stepped in yet to take her off his hands. It's really a waste of his time now that she's adjusted to life on the Normandy."

Ms Lawson began to pace the floor as she continued, "And you. Didn't you do what I asked you to."

Jacob stopped his work and turned to face Miranda with a smug look on his face. "Actually I did. But don't worry she let me down easy. You might want to take a lesson from her in that regard."

Miranda stopped in front of Mr. Taylor and glared unamused by his comment.

"Well, did she give a reason for rejecting you?"

"Not really, but I assumed I wasn't her type."

"And what is her type?"

"She didn't say, but if I had to guess I'd say covered in plates."

Miranda resumed pacing as if it helped her think.

"Jacob, I think you would do well in leading some of the away missions."

"Umm… Thanks Miranda, but where are you going with this?"

"You should talk with Shepard. Ask him if you can take on some of the mission load. I think you're up to it and Echo could accompany you on these missions."

"No thanks. I see where you're going with this Miranda, and I want no part in it. Garrus is a good guy. He leads the team well. I would have been glad to have been a part of his team on Omega even knowing how it turned out. I'm not going to do your dirty work anymore. Find some one else."

"Fine I will. I'll talk to Shepard for you."

"You do what you feel like you have to do."

Miranda left in a huff somewhat perturbed having lost the exchange. Jacob returned to his terminal and a few minutes later spoke aloud, "It's alright everyone's gone you can come out now."

Kasumi Goto removed a grate and slipped out of the service duct. As she sauntered up to Jacob she spoke, "Very bold Mr. Taylor. Treating Miranda like that. Did you do it because you knew someone was watching?"

"No. I owe Miranda a lot. Past promises and such, but she when too far this time."

Jacob smiled and turned to Kasumi, "Miranda does have a habit of taking things too far, it shouldn't surprise me."

"Well what about little Shep?"

"No it's not like that. Besides if I'm supposed to be hitting on her how am I going to start something up with you?"

Kasumi was now close enough to wrap her arms around Jacob's neck. Jacob in turn wrapped his arms loosely around Kasumi waste and smiled.

"Good answer, Mr. Taylor."

-Echo-

I exited the Armory leaving Mr. Taylor and Ms. Lawson to have their privacy. However, Ms. Chambers stopped me before I could hit the button to summon the elevator.

"Miss Shepard, Garrus Vakarian would like to see you in his office as soon as he is back on board."

I smiled forcefully at her. The whole while thinking to myself as I entered the elevator and hit the button for the crew deck. I tried to summon what I would say to him. It proved to be quite difficult seeing as I didn't even know what exactly he wanted to talk about.

Inside the crew quarters I sat on my cot like a child waiting for the inevitable. Eventually EDI passed along another message.

"Officer Vakarian is back on board the Normandy and is requesting your presents in his Office urgently."

I guess that's my queue.

The doors opened to the OX office and Garrus was pacing the floor behind his desk. I decided to plop down in the chair.

When he was finally ready to start he asked, "What did you think you were doing?"

"We work hard on this ship I wanted to blowing off some steam. It was also a bit of a learning experience if you want to think of it that way. Never been to Omega."

"A ship's captain decides when we have shore leave. You're not the captain. And Omega isn't really a good holiday location. Do you know what kind of trouble you could have gotten yourself into?"

"I don't believe I need you to save me. Or is that why you haven't cleared me as regular crew. I'm not good enough? I can take care of myself."

"Not from what I saw. Do you know what he had planed for you?"

"You mean Lorik Flynn. Trust me I wouldn't let anything happen that I didn't want to happen. I'm highly trained remember. Besides Mordin already informed me of the dangers of anaphylactic shock and anything else that could happen."

Garrus didn't respond. He finally stopped pacing and stared at me in silence. The silence grew uncomfortable before he finally responded.

"I think you should stay away from turians like Flynn."

"What? Are you serious. Turians or males in general. Why don't you just go ahead and say what you really think."

Vakarian shifted in his stance as if he was uncomfortable with the conversation. "I feel like it would be better if you found something closer to home."

I started to get upset and raise my voice, "So now you're making my decisions for me?"

He didn't answer. His response was to walk past me towards the door to leave. I stood up and stopped him before he had a chance.

"Garrus, do I make you uncomfortable?"

"You don't ever have to worry about making me uncomfortable. Nervous yes, but never uncomfortable."

And with that he stepped out locking the door behind him. I yelled back calling out on deaf ears, "Wait! Isn't that like the same thing?"

I was a bit confused as to why he locked me inside. It was probably in the hopes that I wouldn't go anywhere. Allowing him to find me when he had thought of something else to add to our conversation or decided a proper punishment. It didn't really matter, if I wanted I could leave, but instead I called out as if talking to an imaginary friend.

"Kasumi! Are you there?"

The hooded thief dropped down from the ceiling and landed on Vakarian's desk.

"Yeah, I heard most of it."

As Kasumi climbed down from the desk I started speaking aloud all of the ramblings going on in my head.

"Do you believe him? Asking me to find something closer to home. What does he even mean by that statement? Stay away from turians. I almost half expected him to tell me to stay a way from all men. Where does he get off telling me I can't have interspecies relationships or any relationship?"

Kasumi watched my over the top performance of frustration completely enthralled. Even thought he hid her eyes a wide grin spread across her face at my distress.

"Ms Chambers would understand. I happen to know for a fact that she is into that sort of thing. She once said that race and gender don't matter. And it's nice to find passion where every you can. I know she would take my side."

I felt as thought I had come to the tail end of my thought. So I prompted Kasumi to make a comment, "What do you think?"

Kasumi paused for a moment before speaking, "The word is that Garrus really likes you. I can never tell with turians. I think you should go for it."

"What? No you must be mistaken. It's not like that. He would never consider me anything more, because I'm human."

"Well believe what you want. But a lot of people would like to see you two together. That's all I'm saying."

I heaved a big sigh my brain still processing all of the encounters I've had tonight. While I may be programmed to handle combat my understanding of social behavior was under development.

I laid my head in my hands and Kasumi spoke again, "You look tired. Would you like to get out of here and see a vid in my room?"

I lifted my head and put on a strong front. "No it's okay. I'm locked in here for some reason I'm sure."

Kasumi interrupted, "Yeah what's up with that?"

"I don't know! Maybe I'm grounded! I'll just use this opportunity to have a private shower for once. I know I went through decontamination before entering the Normandy, but something about Omega makes me feel like a need a shower."

"Oh, alright. But if you change your mind you know where to find me."

Kasumi stood back up on the desk to boost herself back up into the duct in the ceiling. I turned to the small bathroom in the XO office and started the water.

-Garrus-

I couldn't take much more. I left my office with Echo inside. I walked toward the elevator then stopped. Thought about going back, but what would I say. I really needed to discuss this with Shepard. But that also seemed like a bad idea. After all, the problem was his daughter.

I just didn't know how to wrap my head around the situation. I hadn't been able to spot Echo in the club. Normally I would have been able to track her by scent, but not with all the commotion going on in Afterlife. I'm not sure I would have found her if Kasumi didn't tell me about how she changed her appearance. After obtaining a new description I found her. Wasn't positive till she stepped into the back alley and I was finally able to separate her scent from the crowd.

It was a bit shocking to see her like that. I didn't think it was possible for humans to change their appearances so drastically so quickly. She went from that hungry child reporting for duty in my office to fully realized women. Of course she was fully grown when she came to the Normandy. I guess I don't really know when the change happened.

Then to see her like that. With another male all over her. I couldn't stand it. I wanted to protect her. To keep her pure. But she wasn't mine, so why do I feel this way.

My thoughts continue to race around in my head as I stood alone in the elevator on my way to the Captain's quarters.

-Captain's Cabin-

When I approached the Cabin door it opened automatically. Apparently EDI had announced my arrival so that Shepard was awaiting me. Miranda was inside, which was becoming a normal occurrence.

"Shepard can we talk?"

Miranda approached the door saying, "Don't mind me I'm just leaving."

Once Miranda was gone it was Shepard who started up the conversation again.

"Hey, it's great to see you. Miranda just filled me in on the new plans. I thought for a moment that she came up with it on her own, but since you're here it must have been collaborative."

I didn't know what John was talking about so I let him continue to get more information, "Well go on tell me what you like about it."

"Well having you back on my team just like old times. I've missed having you around. Now that you've cleared Echo she can become a productive member of the crew. I'm sure Jacob also likes the new arrangement. It will give him an opportunity to step up."

I took in the information he gave me, but it took a moment to let it sink in before answering. "So let me make sure we are understanding each other clearly. Echo is cleared. Jacob is taking over secondary missions and I'm to accompany you on the main focus of taking out the reapers."

"Yeah, that's it."

Well this conversation was going to be easier that I thought. Miranda did all the work for me. Well sort of. Although maybe that's what I need. To be separated from Echo for a while. Let my head clear. Give her some time to figure out who she wants to be. I'd never actually tell Miranda this but, I owe her one.

"Well Shepard it looks like I didn't really need to come up here. Miranda must have gotten you caught up to date. There's only one last thing to do and that's tell Echo the news."

"I'll do it if you want me to, Garrus."

"No that's quite alright I don't mind."

I headed back to my quarters where I had left Echo. I was so caught up in the moment I locked her in there. A stupid move on my part considering how fast scuttle butt travels on this ship. However, I was headed there now to fix the problem.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. As I looked around the room I realized Echo was nowhere to be seen and that running water could be heard from the shower. Oh Spirits, this must be a test of some sort.

I called out her name to get her attention and the water stopped. She stepped out of the bathroom still mostly wet and a towel wrapped around her.

I was happy to see she no longer looked like she had on Omega. The face paint was gone as well as the unnaturally hair color. Even though her hair was still short if framed the features I'd come to find so beautiful.

After a moment she prompted me to continue. I must have been lost in my own thoughts far too long.

"I came to inform you you've been cleared for combat. You're a part of the crew and are free to roam around the ship and make your own schedule."

"Is that all? With the way you locked me in here I was expecting some sort of punishment. But instead I've been given more freedom?"

"This decision has come from Commander Shepard, Ms. Lawson and I. I am to join the commander's party and Jacob Taylor will be handling the Normandy's other duties while I'm away."

"What? So I won't see you as much anymore? This really is my punishment isn't it?"

"No. The crew has come to realize your value. You're brave and unwavering in battle, confident. This is a decision to benefit you."

The next phrase she murmured low as she lowered her chin. Almost as if she thought I wouldn't hear. "Then why does this feel like punishment."

I had already spent too much time with her in my room considering she was half naked. I headed to the door calling back, "I'll leave you now so you can finish what you need to."