"So, how does it feel to be the father of a C-Sec rookie?" Viator smiled, eyes twinkling across at Cadmus, laughter beneath the surface of his question.

Cadmus, in truth bursting with pride, kept his full joy underwraps. "Of course, I am proud."

Viator guffawed. "Relax, Cadmus. It doesn't hurt to show a little emotion, especially when your son has earned his post with such acclaim."

Cadmus recalled how much Viator bragged on Kemi. Now ten, she continued to excel musically. Her people were lauding her skill. Cadmus knew how much Viator wanted to meet her in person when she turned twelve. Two more years and he would get to do so—perhaps. Cadmus wondered if her people wouldn't want to keep her to themselves.

Cadmus opened his mouth and spread his mandibles widely in a smile. "I am proud," he repeated. "Garrus has done better than I anticipated."

"He's excelled!" Viator exclaimed. "When he got assigned here, there were whispers of how fortunate C-Sec was to get him. Really, with all he's accomplished, I kind of thought the Council would claim him for themselves, make him a Spectre."

Cadmus held his peace. He'd never mentioned Garrus' identification as a possible Spectre candidiate to Viator. No need to bring it up now. Viator wouldn't understand. Viator didn't hold the same opinion as himself and Venari. He was too enamored of the Spectres to ascertain their faults. "He's C-Sec material," Cadmus said instead.

"No doubt," Viator commented. "Just like his father." He smiled knowingly at Cadmus, picking up his glass and consuming its contents.

Cadmus fingered his own glass, still containing a non-alcoholic turian drink. How long had it been since he'd last tasted alcohol? It had to be over twenty years. He curiously wondred for a moment what would happen now if he did drink it. Would his system handle it? It didn't matter. His vow to Laelia so very long ago had been final—Cadmus Vakarian didn't break his promises. Personally, he'd come to see the value in choosing to be a teetotaler. He was always sharp and in command of his thoughts. He didn't need the soothing dullness to cover his problems or stresses anymore. He could manage his life without chemical indulgence.

"Thinking about your family?"

Cadmus looked up at Viator. "In a way."

"It will be good to see them again. Sol's what? Eighteen? I haven't seen her in three years. What's she up to?"

Cadmus glanced over the balcony, looking down into one of the Presidium lakes. He and Viator had chosen to meet up after work at a small bar in the Presidium. Cadmus enjoyed being in the center of the station. It was a breath of fresh air from the enclosed office of Zakera he usually frequented. "Still studying. She wants to travel turian space, learn all she can, then teach." Cadmus took a sip of his drink. Solana's time in basic training had been far less prestigious than Garrus', but she didn't seem to care. She was still stubborn, going her own way no matter what anyone told her. She didn't want a life in the army or navy; she'd chosen education. It fit her personality, Cadmus knew, but it would have been nice to have two children distinguishing themselves in security careers. Ah well. Garrus had come his way. Sol could do as she liked.

"Looking forward to seeing Laelia?"

"Yes," Cadmus returned stoically, but his heart beat faster at her name. If there was one regret he'd had with his promotion, it had been the lack of his wife. Leave with her was too infrequent. She hadn't been back to the Citadel in years, ever since her accident. She had healed, but there were days her arm or leg bothered her. Cadmus had to swallow his anger every time she mentioned any pain. He wanted nothing more than to wring Aiolus Mehrkuri's neck, but he couldn't, because Decimus' brother was still elusive.

Every once in a while, Decimus checked in with him. Aiolus had become Decimus' obsession. So intent was his search that mild rumor made the rounds in C-Sec that the former Exectuor had become a crazed madman, seeking violent revenge against his own brother. It was ridiculous talk, of course. Decimus was as sane as ever, his passion simply an expression of his frustration as Aiolus continued to slip away from him. Cadmus also knew that Decimus had caught up with Aiolus at one point on Omega. There had been a fight between the task force and Aiolus' crew. Aiolus had gathered other disgruntled turians to his side. He was now a wretched gang leader. They'd managed to fight off the task force and get away in a ship. Decimus had been livid and even called Cadmus to pour out his anger. Cadmus hadn't told his former mentor, but he had begun to doubt Decimus' ability to ever bring Aiolus down. It seemed Aiolus had learned much in his time in Zafur Halesia. He'd been mentored by the worst criminals on Tridend in his time in the penal mine. He'd learned skills of evasion and criminality he hadn't possessed previously. The only good thing about him becoming a gang leader was the more turians he had with him, the harder it was to hide them. They were notorious in turian space, on the Hierarchy's most wanted list. If they'd shown their faces, they would have been caught in an instant. At least that kept Aiolus far away from Laelia.

Actually, Cadmus had suggested to Laelia that now that their children were grown, it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to spend more time on the Citadel, perhaps make it home again. Laelia hadn't been directly opposed to the idea, but did let him know that her life was Palaven. She'd become entrenched on her home planet, her friends and family there, her daughter still living there. She wasn't ready to leave entirely, not yet. But she did agree to visit the station more often. Cadmus understood. He couldn't blame her. He had been the one to insist she live on Palaven for the sake of their children. She had every right to refuse his suggestion. Still, he ached to have her with him more often. He was glad that since Garrus was moving to the Citadel, she'd seen fit to visit with Solana in tow on a short sabbatical from her studies.

"What about Leea?" Cadmus asked his cousin.

Viator grinned. "She'll be here tomorrow evening. I guess it's like a family reunion, isn't it?"

"We'll have you over," Cadmus insisted.

"Wouldn't miss it," Viator returned.

When Cadmus arrived home next evening, his usually peaceful abode had turned into a cacophony of noise; at least, that's how it felt. Really, it was simply the chatting of a family that hadn't been together in a long time, but having lived in the apartment alone most of his life, Cadmus felt assaulted by the noise. It took him some time to get back into the rhythm of his family—he was on the outside looking in. Laelia, Garrus and Solana talked and acted like a well-oiled machine. Years of being together had led to an intimacy Cadmus didn't share.

Cadmus, of course, didn't think this deeply about it. He only noticed something off in his emotions, but he brushed it away. It had been a long day and he was tired, nothing more. When he walked in the door, the first thing he heard was a debate in the living room. Solana was standing with her hands on her hips, lecturing an audience composed of Garrus, Viator and Leea. She was so engrossed in her own speech, as was the audience, that no one noticed Cadmus enter. Cadmus stood silently, marveling at the female turian now gesticulating with her hands, emphasizing her point. Where had the time gone? Solana was dressed in a fashionable short, figure hugging, teal dress. Her eyes brimmed with maturity and intellect. Cadmus realized that with all his concern over Garrus, he'd let Solana grow without his knowledge. She was a young adult now for certain, no longer his little daughter.

"The Unfication War would never have happened without the Imbex clan," Solana proclaimed. "If they hadn't forced the Coalition, the other clans would have peitioned for reparations and the hostilities would have faded. The Macedyn letter is complete proof."

"See what I mean?" Garrus said, directing his rhetorical question to Viator. "She's like this all the time, analyzing this and that. It's like bandying with a squawking jesep: its size belies its sharpened claws."

"You're just upset because I'm right," Solana argued, her hands now back on her hips as she glared down on her brother.

Garrus looked up at her, a smile playing about his mouth. "You forgot Primarch Fulcrosia's speech. It instigated the whole war. Every history book says so."

"You know that speech wasn't even heard by most of the Coalition until three months after the intial conflict! And the history books never say any such thing! They just note that the speech was an accelerant to the…" Solana came to a halt when Garrus exploded in laughter. Viator himself tried not to laugh, his hand up to his mouth. Leea's mask emited a hissing sound of suppressed giggles.

"Ha ha…" Solana intoned angrily. "You only said that to bait me."

Garrus' laughter decended into a chuckle. "Sorry, Sol. It's just too easy. You don't need to be mad." Solana sat down in an easy chair with a huff. Garrus raised a hand to her, indicating goodwill. "For what it's worth, I agree with you. All the evidence points to the guilt of the Imbex clan."

"I don't know…" Viator spoke, but Leea squeezed his arm in warning.

Garrus smiled. "Don't go there. Just please, don't."

"Cadmus!" The new voice that had spoken drew everyone's attention to the apartment door. There were exclamations of "Dad" from Garrus and Solana, "Welcome, Cadmus" from Viator, but Cadmus had his eyes on the owner of the soft voice, his wife, Laelia Soranus. She stood in the kitchen doorway, wearing a fetching blue and red suit. She was still slender, still tall for a female, still taking his breath away every time he saw her. He didn't know why, but as their eyes locked and she smiled subtly, he felt something momentous afoot, that he needed to take advantage of his time with her. However, now that his presence was known, his attention was drawn from her as he was inundated by the occupants of the living room.

"Come join us!" Viator called out. "Your daughter is impressing us with her historical wisdom."

"So I heard," Cadmus said, eyeing Solana and nodding to her. She walked up to him and held out both hands. He took them, staring into dark blue eyes that held intense depth and insight.

"Hello, father," she said squeezing his wrists, her grip strong. The way she spoke, Cadmus heard something more than a simple greeting in her words. What, he wasn't sure.

"Dad," Garrus greeted coming up beside his sister. Cadmus reached out and gripped wrists with his son once Solana had disengaged her hold.

"Ready to work?" Cadmus asked.

Garrus bobbed his head.

"When do you see Executor Pallin?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Good. Come by my office when you can tomorrow."

"I will."

"Well, now that we've welcomed my husband back into his own apartment, let's eat some dinner," Laelia declared.

Everyone moved towards the kitchen, but Laelia hung back. As Cadmus reached her, he put a hand on her shoulder. "It's good to have you here."

Laelia stared into his eyes. "It's been so long since I've been on station and nothing's changed."

"Rarely does," Cadmus commented as he and his wife moved to eat with the rest of their family. It had been five years since his talk with Garrus regarding his Spectre candidacy and the Citadel had operated in perpetual uniformity. Same aliens, same squabbles, same puzzles-and Cadmus liked it that way.

Dinner was an enjoyable affair. Cadmus said little, relishing the warm feelings of familiar company. Viator and Leea spent most of the time talking about Kemi. Leea complained that Viator's impatience was pronounced to the point of annoyance now that meeting her in person was so close, but the way she stated this fact made it clear she loved Viator all the more for his passion for their "daughter." As Viator and Leea talked, Cadmus observed his own children's empathy. Solana's face exhibited pure understanding and Garrus encouraged Viator over the fact that two years was little in the grand scheme of things. Cadmus found it ironic that his children accepted Leea and Kemi with such ease. He had gotten used to Viator's wife, even used to Kemi as Viator's unseen daughter, but his feelings continued to be resistant to the benefit of turians and quarians becoming so entwined. He assumed that his children had no such qualms as they had known Leea most of their lives. Perhaps their experience with Leea had led them to regard quarians with unequivocal positivity. Leea was a good female, Cadmus knew that. He reflected briefly that perhaps the most good that had come from Viator marrying Leea was his own children learning to treat aliens as individuals rather than falling back on racial generalities. He recognized that in some ways his feelings remained tinted by turian biases, no matter that his actions were always respectful and fair.

For her part, Solana continued to discuss history when appropriate and her ongoing studies. She had passed through hands-on military training and had taken up an apprenticeship, being mentored by various turian scholars in the fields of history and literature. She declared she passionately loved the Palaven historical archives to which Garrus snorted and Solana scowled at him. Cadmus would have thought the sibling interaction nothing but a brother teasing his sister, but Solana's harsh gaze and the rapdity with which Garrus quieted implied more. Unsaid words passed between them. Cadmus refrained from inquiring, the problem an issue for his children to handle amongst themselves.

Laelia kept as quiet as Cadmus, talking rarely, interjecting short replies here and there. He caught her eye several times during the meal and was met by coyish blinking. Even though he was enjoying himself, Cadmus found that he wanted the meal to end so he could interact with his wife alone. Finally, Viator and Leea left with hearty farewells. Solana asked if she could take a walk for a time and left. Garrus declared an early bedtime for himself. He wanted to be ready for his first day on the job.

Cadmus turned to his wife after Garrus closed his bedroom door. She moved slowly, headed to the kitchen. He came up behind her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'll clean up."

Laelia halted and raised her own hand to lay it on Cadmus'. "I can do it."

"You deserve a break. Let me."

"Alright," Laelia relented, removing her hand and making her way to their bedroom.

Cadmus strode into the kitchen and cleaned up as quickly as he could. When he finished and entered their bedroom, he abprutly sucked in a breath. Laelia lay stretched out on the bed reading her data pad. This was unremarkable. His reaction had been a response to the fact that his slender, good-figured wife had donned a long, translucent coral negligee that revealed all her feminine charms. He coughed and she turned to look at him.

"New nightgown?" he questioned, moving to the closet to disrobe, his blood pounding through his veins.

"Like it?" she asked in her tender, yet controlled voice.

Cadmus slipped on a pair of sleep pants and turned to her. "Very much."

Laelia smiled widely, set the data pad on a nigthside stand and glanced down at herself. "I bought it on a whim…though knowing I was coming here may have encouraged it."

Cadmus slipped into bed next to her. He turned on his side and placed a hand on her mandible, sliding his fingers down it. "It's been too long since you've been here."

Laelia raised her mandible in and out, appreciating his touch. She set her hand against his chest. "Time has passed so quickly for us, hasn't it? Where has the time gone, Cadmus? Garrus in C-Sec, Solana en…" She cut off and paused. "The point is, they've grown too fast."

Cadmus lowered his hand. "Solana what?"

Laelia stared him straight in the face, the way she always did when she meant him to take her next words to heart. "It's not my place to tell you. She has to do that. She will. She's just appropriating the bravery to do so."

Cadmus flexed his mandibles, but didn't draw away. "Why is she afraid?"

"Cadmus, I respect her desire to tell you herself. I will not be hinting at anything. Let's just forget about it for the night. You're right. It's been far too long that I've been here, that I've been in your arms here like this. Let's not spoil it."

Cadmus, so used to compartmentalizing his mind into separate boxes for work, marriage and children, nodded. He filed away the fact that Solana was reluctant to tell him something and turned his attention entirely to his wife.

The next day for Cadmus passed by like always—Ward wide meeting of all the detective chiefs, individual meetings for troublesome cases, filing of documents, reviewing e-mails and notes on various cases, calling in arrests and giving advice. He felt revitalized. He always enjoyed the job, but today he was invigorated, his energy electric. He knew it most likely had to do with last night and his time with Laelia. It wasn't just their physical intimacy—he always felt more balanced when she was near him.

Or perhaps it was more than Laelia. Perhaps it was also the fact that today his son began his work as a C-Sec officer. He'd always hoped for something like this, father and son detectives taking down crime side by side, or at least on the same station. He'd be able to help Garrus, give him advice, guide his steps as needed.

About midday, Schleis' voice spoke in his comm. "Captain, your son is here."

"Send him in," Cadmus answered eagerly, shutting down the file he had been working on. Garrus entered, marching with measured steps and sat down in the chair in front of his father's desk. Cadmus noticed a bit of defeat in his disposition. What had Venari said to him?

"You have your assignment?" Cadmus asked.

Garrus nodded in confirmation.

"Where?"

"Here. Zakera."

"Zakera?" Cadmus asked, both surprise and pleasure in his voice.

"The Executor said he didn't want to waste my natural talent on lesser posts. He said my resume was exemplary."

"It is," Cadmus affirmed. A stint in the Cohort Elitum, a recommendation to C-Sec and five years training in the best of Palaven's precincts had made Garrus an investigator any Executor would have snapped up in an instant.

"I'm in the 2nd precinct."

"Ah…You have a good chief: Jovaen Pallus. He's a little hesitant at times, but skilled and capable."

Garrus nodded again, then gazed around his father's office. Cadmus sensed his tension.

"It's a good assignment," Cadmus encouraged.

"I know," Garrus agreed, his attention back on his father.

"Is everything alright, son?" Cadmus asked, deciding to be direct.

"It's fine."

Cadmus stared Garrus down, implying that both of them knew Garrus was keeping some issue to himself. Garrus sighed and raised his hand, rubbing his neck.

"Don't take this the wrong way, dad, but I want to prove myself here without your help. I thought they'd put me in a different Ward."

Cadmus pushed back in his seat. He was far from insulted; he was actually quite pleased. It was the same thing he would have wanted at his own son's age. He wouldn't have wanted his father to overshadow his career. He'd want to stand on his own two feet.

Cadmus smiled slightly. "If it makes you feel any better, I won't be giving you any special treatment. I'll expect the same standards from you as anyone else on the force."

Garrus actually smiled a little. "I wouldn't expect you to do any different."

"Garrus, I won't interfere. This is your post, you earned it. You'll rise and fall on your own merits."

Garrus nodded. "Okay."

"Where will you stay?" Cadmus asked, switching gears to pull them away from such an uncomfortable subject.

"I'm going to look for somewhere in Zakera."

"Most turians live in Bachjret," Cadmus pointed out.

"I'd like to live among the people I'm going to protect."

Cadmus' heart about burst open with pride. It was a sensible decision. Garrus, who had lived only on Palaven and had little experience with the aliens of the galaxy needed to experience them first hand. What better way to do so than live among them?

"It's a good idea. I can talk to some landlords near the 2nd…" Cadmus' voice faded. Garrus was staring at him. Cadmus laughed. "On second thought, you do it."

Garrus laughed shortly deep in his throat. "Thanks."

"When do you go on duty?"

"Tonight. Night shift."

Cadmus' mandibles flexed. Detectives had never been on night shifts until Venari became Executor. He'd made the change, insisting that crime didn't wait to be investigated until day cycles. "Well, then, the Exectuor isn't treating you as the coddled son of Dective Captain Cadmus Vakarian is he? Night shift is the rookie shift."

"I thought there would be more crime at night?"

"There is," Cadmus said, mandibles flapping. "It's a rite of passage through fire."

Garrus pulled himself up into his seat. "Bring it on."

Cadmus laughed heartily. "You're a Vakarian, through and through."

Garrus also laughed. Cadmus smiled. The station he loved had just gotten even better.

Later in the evening, Cadmus found himself in the apartment alone with Solana. Laelia had met a friend and they had gone shopping, picking up some things Laelia could only find on station. Garrus was nowhere to be seen, ostensibly in Zakera scoping it out before his first shift began. Cadmus sat in the living room, tapping on his tool. Every so often he glanced up at Solana on the couch, her eyes on her data pad. A couple times he caught her looking at him when he glanced up. She averted her eyes abruptly each time.

Cadmus soon found he couldn't keep his mind on his work e-mail. Everything had been squared away with Garrus and now he wanted all to be resovled with his daughter. She hadn't spoken a word even though Laelia had given her ample opportunity to brooch whatever subject she needed to bring to him. How long did he have to wait for her to open her mouth? Solana was usually hard to keep quiet, her passion and stubbornness like hurricane winds you couldn't hold back no matter how hard you tried. This fear to speak wasn't like her. He didn't know what that forbode and it bothered him.

Finally, Cadmus shut down his tool and looked across at Solana. "Let's walk," he said, his voice more commanding than suggesting.

Solana snapped her head up, indecision in her eyes for a moment, but finally surrendering. "Sure." She stood and followed her father out of the apartment. They rode the elevator then walked side by side into the beautiful garden paths.

Cadmus pointed to a statue of a turian standing severely straight. "Do you know who that is?"

Solana guffawed. "Of course. I admired him every time I came here as a child. Justicus Lenius, general in the last major battle during the Krogan Rebellions."

"You know what happened to him in the battle?"

"Dad, every turian knows. He lost both his legs to Yagar the Cruel, but killed him and crawled back to his command center." Solana drew in a long breath from her nose as she gazed up at the statue. "He's an inspiration to all turians."

Cadmus smiled at his daughter. She didn't want to carry a gun and be Justicus Lenius; she wanted to inspire other turians, preserve turian history for coming generations and make sure they paid due attention and respect to it. It wouldn't bring her glory, but it was a vital role for their people. It was an honorable goal.

Cadmus walked on, Solana following. They stopped when they reached the balcony that looked down into the Presidium. Solana leaned with her arms on the balcony rail, peering down, her expression deeply contemplative. Cadmus stood next to her, hands gripping the rail. "Do you have something to tell me?" he asked. As with Garrus, he thought the direct approach would be best. It was time to stop this illusion that all was well.

Solana stood up and looked to him. "Did mom say…"

Cadmus raised his hands. "Your mother didn't tell me anything. She's left whatever it is up to you."

Solana looked away, down at the shops below.

"It is obvious, Solana, that something is on your mind. It has been since you arrived."

Solana turned back, sighed and nodded. She walked over to a bench and Cadmus followed her, sitting down as she did. She put a hand to her mouth for a moment, lowered it and turned to him, her eyes intense. "Dad…I met someone while researching at the archives. He's in the same field, a historian."

Cadmus felt an uncomfortable twist in his stomach.

"He's honorable and worthy."

Cadmus' mandibles fluttered. "And what is the name of this honorable turian?"

Solana breathed in. "Arrian Sophus." Sophus. A good clan name with a solid reputation. "But that's not really what I needed to tell you."

"What then?"

"Arrian and I have grown close to each other, courted, and we're…engaged."

Cadmus tried not to let shock show on his face. Engaged? Solana was only eigthteen, hardly the age for an engagement. She was only three years out of basic. She had a career to build, her place to find in turian society. Marriage certainly could come later when she was established. Before Cadmus could open his mouth and voice his disapproval, Solana went on.

"I know you'll think we're being too rash, that it isn't the time, but we're not marrying yet, for at least two years. Arrian wants me to find a good job, get some experience, then we'll marry. Really, dad, you'll like him. He's a good turian, just like you in many ways."

Cadmus noted the pleading in his daughter's eyes. She didn't want him to reject the idea out of hand. Cadmus swallowed a lecture and asked a question instead. "How old is he?"

Solana lifted her chin. "Twenty-five."

"Seven years older?" Cadmus questioned.

"He's established. You know I don't care for young dolts with something to prove. Arrian doesn't have to prove anything. He knows who he is and what he wants."

"And he wants you?"

Solana tilted her head at her father's slight joke.

"I'm not teasing," Cadmus clarified. "Is he determined to have you without a word to me?"

Solana wrung her hands. "I asked him not to talk to you. I wanted to explain first. I know it isn't common for turian couples to get engaged without talking to the head of the family first, but times have changed. This is the way turian youth do it now."

Cadmus stared at his daughter. This is the way turian youth do it now? Did she even hear herself talking? Here was his daughter so bound to turian pride she wanted to infuse it on the coming generations and yet she let go the social structures so easily? She was a conundrum he couldn't wrap his mind around.

"Now that I've told you," Solana continued, "He'll talk to you. But I want you to give him a chance. Please."

Cadmus didn't know what to say. He shouldn't be having this conversation, not now. This should have come years down the road. He wanted to dismiss her engagement immediately, tell her to break it off, but then as he began to speak a memory washed over him. The bench they were sitting on had seemed so familiar. Now he remembered. This was where he had found Laelia all those years ago when she had seen him in a drinking game with Nissa. He'd failed her that night. He'd been young and in love and come crawling back willing to rectify his mistake in any way possible. There was something about love that made you sacrifice everything for it. He had known so little about love then. Solana knew little but the beating of her heart for this turian. Reflecting on his failure, Cadmus wasn't sure he could advise her much in the way of love. His own marriage hadn't come about in love, but in duty. He decided to wait for the moment. "I will talk to him, but I make no promises."

Solana nodded slowly, but her eyes reflected her stubborn personality. Cadmus wondered what would happen if he didn't approve of Arrian. Would his daughter run off with the young turian? He wouldn't put it past her.

When Laelia returned and entered their bedroom, Cadmus was still awake. He'd found it impossible to sleep, Solana's self-determined engagement a weight on his mind. At the sight of Laelia, Cadmus sat up in bed immediately. Laelia spoke as she headed towards the closet to change.

"I see Solana has spoken to you."

"You should have told me," Cadmus asserted. He would rather have been given some warning of such life changing news.

"She asked that I refrain from telling you. I promised I wouldn't."

Cadmus folded his arms over his chest. "How long have you known about this?"

Laelia, who had slipped on her coral negligee, turned to her husband. "She told me two months after she met him that she had an interest."

"And you didn't inform me?"

Laelia chuckled softly. "Fathers are rarely calm regarding their daughter's suitors. I didn't want to ruin her chances."

Cadmus clenched his jaw. "As head of this family, I should have known."

Laelia approached the bed and sat on its edge next to her husband. "And what would you have done if you'd known?"

Cadmus stared into Laelia's eyes. They had always seen straight through him. What could he do but admit the truth? "I would have told her to stop pursuing a relationship. She's eighteen."

"Seventeen when she met him," Laelia said, placing a hand on Cadmus' knee, calming him with her touch.

"Turians don't marry so young."

"Not most, but the marrying age is younger and younger. Some marry by twenty. Turian culture isn't what it was for us, Cadmus."

"I didn't think the Hierarchy would recognize such early marriage."

"What choice does it have? I suppose it could enact marriage laws and force a certain age, but I don't think that would work well. Love blossoms when it does. It doesn't bind itself by law."

"It used to be that a turian couldn't find intitial employment if married. One had to be firmly entrenched in a career before marrying."

Laelia smiled. "Even that was at least a hundred years before our own marriage."

"It was a good philosophy."

"Perhaps it was at the time, but culture changes. That's the way it works. I know we turians like to believe everything stays pertually the same, but it doesn't."

Cadmus folded his arms more tightly against his chest. He didn't want turian society to change. Tradition formed a solid foundation of strength. Mess with it and society might collapse in on itself.

"So, whether you like it or not, your daughter has met a male she feels worthy of marriage. She has told you. What now will you do?"

Cadmus breathed out in perturbation. "I said I would talk to this Arrian Sophus."

"Good."

"But I also said I didn't promise anything."

"I'm not surprised."

Cadmus unfolded his hands and slapped them on the bed. "Do you want her to marry so young? Do you think she's ready?"

Laelia laughed. "Were we ready?"

Cadmus eyed her critically, then grumpily slid beneath the sheets. His action spoke his answer. He hadn't had the least idea what marriage truly meant. Laelia stood, turned off the lights in the room and crawled into bed. She reached out a hand and rubbed Cadmus' arm. "I've met Arrian Sophus. He is a good turian. You'll approve. We couldn't ask for better for her. And Solana is a rational female. She wouldn't pick foolishly."

Cadmus grunted. He wouldn't expect Solana to be stupid about males. Laelia was correct. "This male is to call me to tomorrow. I'll see." Laelia didn't answer, just squeezed his arm and rolled over to sleep.

When Cadmus arrived at his office the next morning, he was surprised to find Garrus already there.

"Garrus," he greeted as his son stood and gripped his wrist. "How did it go last night?"

"Fine," Garrus said, sitting down again, following Cadmus' lead as he settled himself behind his desk.

"Nothing thrilling?"

"Not yet. Though some potential. A couple bodies found this week missing their organs. Maybe a smuggling operartion."

"You're on the case."

"The whole team."

Cadmus grinned. "Glad Pallus saw fit to use you."

"Me, too. It's an interesting puzzle."

"You'll solve it."

Garrus' mandibles fluttered. "Maybe."

"I know you will."

Garrus nodded appreciatively.

"So…" Cadmus went on, focusing on his computer. "I have work to do. Do you come just to report on your first night?"

"No. I have something to say to you."

Cadmus glanced up, surprised at Garrus' solemn tone. "What then?"

Garrus forged ahead. "It's about Arrian."

Cadmus leaned back in his seat. "So it seems your sister has informed everyone but her father of her actions."

Garrus' mandibles tightened. "You're not the easiest to talk to sometimes."

Cadmus let the statement sink in. He hadn't done anything to put his children off except be the father they needed. He wasn't going to pamper them. That wasn't what they needed. Cadmus let the statement lie. "I understand Solana didn't want a negative reaction from me."

"He's a good turian," Garrus insisted, moving the conversation forward. "He balances her. She's all spitfire and he's calm as a rithan. He's smart, too. They have everything in common."

Cadmus flexed his mandibles. "So you want me to approve this engagement?"

"If you don't," Garrus warned. "Sol will still marry him."

Cadmus' eyes narrowed. "She told you that?"

"No, but I know her too well. She would hate doing it, but she would anyway."

Cadmus felt his gut twist. Garrus had confirmed his own suspicions. He turned his attention back to his computer. "Arrian Sophus is calling me this morning. I will talk to him and make my own decision."

Cadmus heard Garrus stand. "You'll like him, dad. Just don't decide beforehand that you won't." Garrus' footsteps left the room.

Cadmus stopped looking at the computer and contemplated the door. Even Garrus was enamored with this turian. Perhaps he was worthy, but Solana was still young, still his daughter under his protection. The computer beeped. Incoming call—Arrian Sophus. Arrian Sophus—was this a name to honor or despise? Cadmus pushed the button to initiate the call, figuring he was just about to find out.