Just a quick note to say thanks for all the reviews, faves, follows, etc! all very much appreciated! The updates to this won't be as frequent for the next couple of day as I get the next chapter of "Crucible" ready. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Chapter 25

Starting Out

After the call, he had quickly outlined what Appius had said to the others.

His father and Victus didn't seem surprised to hear that Appius Marius was the caller. That particular Marius's reputation proceeded him wherever he went. Garrus still resolved to ask the two later on how exactly they seemed to already suspect that turian's involvement.

The two quickly determined between themselves that Victus would stay with the children to keep an eye on them while Avitus would focus on finding Appius.

"Dad, I am not comfortable with you taking him on. He is not alone."

"I will just be distracting him and his companions. Call him back and find out where Jones took her."

Garrus stared at his father, "What makes you think it is Jones?"

"I have a hunch."

"What do you know, Dad?"

Avitus sighed, "I had a call a day ago from your asari friend, Liara. She was concerned about Shepard's safety and informed me that you were investigating Jones. She seemed to think that it was a matter of some urgency. I would have preferred to have heard about this from you though..."

Garrus grimaced before he glanced over at the two boys who were scrabbling and laughing on the couch.

"Sorry, Dad. There was a lot going on..."

Victus looked the same direction Garrus did, his mandibles flickering slowly as he watched the two young children play blissfully unaware of what was going on.

He left the two Vakarians who watched him go to the gun cabinet and open it.

"I didn't know you had access to that," said Garrus.

Victus snorted in reply before he took out a Carnifex hand cannon.

He loaded up on thermal clips, clicked the safety on before he concealed the weapon under his clothes. He took out some more weapons and clips before he locked the cabinet.

He handed what he had taken out to the two Vakarians.

"Victus..." Garrus started before the older turian interrupted him.

"Forgive me but I have no intention of my son and young Gaius over there being hurt because of either Appius or the human. Both of you need to get a move on. I will send out a message to those due to arrive to delay them. I will also be locking down the apartment so if you want access, message me. Avitus, you know the frequency I am talking about."

"I know. I will get in touch with Atilius too."

Avitus turned to his son, "Before you contact Appius, do you have a program on there to track him?"

"I should be able to get a rough idea of where he is. He is using Shepard's omnitool."

"Even better. I have put a locator program on that one."

Garrus's mouth gaped.

"Why do you have a locator program on Shepard's omnitool?"

His father smiled, "It is a long story and one that can wait until after we find her."

Avitus walked a short distance away and contacted Atilius.

Victus and Garrus were left alone.

"If they come here..." Garrus started to say.

"They will only find themselves trouble. I know what I am doing, Vakarian."

Garrus looked over at Gaius who was fighting off a resurgent Tiberius.

"That is my son..."

"And that is my own too. I understand how you feel."

They stared at each other for a moment before Avitus returned.

"Atilius is on the hunt for the omnitool. I am going to join up with him and meet with the Marius boy. Can you handle reaching Shepard on your own?"

"Yeah."

Avitus looked at him carefully.

"You know what... I am going to contact Atilius. He will meet up with you to rescue Shepard."

"Dad, I can handle it."

"You can handle going into a completely unknown situation with spirits knows how many enemies? Forgive me if I want my only son to have back up."

Garrus frowned, "What about you?"

"It is a Marius. Barely enough to make me worried. Here..." Garrus's omnitool pinged. "...that is Atilius's contact details."

Victus turned to the two young boys playing on the couch while Avitus contacted their old friend once more.

"Boys, how about you two play a board game in Gaius's room? In fact, if you two play five games against each other I will buy the overall winner a surprise. And, if the loser is good as well, one for them too."

The two hybrids bounced off the couch and clambered over to Victus.

"Really, Dad?" asked Tiberius.

His father lifted him up and hugged him. "Yeah. Really." He nuzzled Tiberius's head before he popped him back on the ground. Victus tickled Gaius on the side of his neck, the little boy going into peals of laughter. Tib ran straight into Gaius's bedroom.

Gaius went to follow but was swept up into a hug by his own father.

Garrus held him tight. "You behave for Victus. I won't be too long."

"Sure!" chirped Gaius. Avitus stepped over and took his grandson from Garrus's arms. He hugged him too, whispering something in his ear that caused Gaius to giggle before setting him down to scamper off after his friend.

"Atilius will meet us outside in five minutes. I think we should wait for him before calling the Marius boy."

Garrus nodded at his father. Victus walked over to the pair.

"Remember to keep in touch when you can. If I can assist with anything than please don't hesitate to contact me."

Avitus nodded and the two older turians said their goodbyes.

Garrus and Victus stared at each other.

"I know we have had our disagreements... hell, I cost you the Primarchship..." The other turian's yellow eyes were focused intently on him.

"Look, what I am trying to say is thanks for this, for protecting them both. It means a lot."

He started to walk away when Victus spoke.

"What upsets me about the Primarchship is not the loss of power or status. It is that you cost my son and yours, of others like them, the possibility of becoming citizens; of the chance of being known not by their differences from us but by their deeds. You took from me the strongest tool I had to make that a reality as soon as I possibly could. They deserve better than this no man's land they exist in. In the end, you didn't hurt me. You hurt them and their future."

Garrus took a deep breath. Victus gazed at him unrelentingly.

"You need not worry or say thanks. Your son, and mine, will be fine if I have anything to say about it. Go and bring Shepard home where she belongs."

Garrus nodded. As he headed out the door, he turned to Victus one last time.

"Thank you... Primarch."

Victus's mandibles flicked as Garrus took off out the doorway.

He strolled up to the main door and sealed it shut.