I do not own Mass Effect. Bioware does.
After the Aran'tar returned to the Citadel, Liara, Tali, Wrex and Thane waited outside the Presidium while Garrus, Robin and Saren headed into the Council Chambers. Approaching the councilors, the trio were initially greeted by Tevos.
"The three of you have performed admirably within the last couple of days," Tevos began, "however, the scale of the Cerberus threat is no apparent and very alarming."
Saren folded his arms.
"I'm not surprised," Garrus replied.
"Unfortunately," Councilor Valern continued, "we can't afford to spread our forces so thin across multiple fronts to defend them against a concentrated Cerberus attack. Even with fleets in nearby systems, this recent attack would've succeeded if it weren't for reinforcements on-sight."
"Logically, it would be advisable to directly cut them down from the source, but going to Earth or wherever in Alliance territory to root them out would be inadvisable," Sparatus concluded, "not without creating a trans-species incident."
"So in other words," Robin clarified, "we cut off their resources?"
"If it means gradually forcing them into the open, yes," Sparatus answered, "currently, they simply have too many financial backers, company fronts, and manufacturers both in and out of Alliance space."
"So we continuously cut down their current numbers and starve them of resources to the point they cannot continue to fight or are forced to do something stupid and predictable as a last resort," Saren established, "we have a new lead and will begin acting accordingly, Councilors."
Saren turned his head towards Garrus and nodded.
"Good luck to all of you," Tevos proclaimed, "we're counting on your actions to prevent such grave outcomes. This meeting is adjourned."
Upon cue, Garrus, Saren and Robin turned to leave the Council Chambers. The young Shepard couldn't help but lean towards Garrus and embrace his arm.
"We may get this right, Shepard," Garrus purred in an effort to comfort his mate, "I know we will."
They waited for the elevator to return to the top of the Citadel Tower, though Saren thought of something.
"Excuse my curiosity, but what exactly are your plans once this crisis is over?" he asked.
Garrus couldn't help but scratch his mandible.
"I haven't thought much," Garrus admitted before he turned his head towards Robin, "Shepard, what about you?"
"It would be really great if I got a pet turtle," Robin smiled.
"I was talking more in terms of your relationship," Saren corrected, sarcastically clearing his throat, "I mean you two haven't been very conservative with the hormones that are almost visibly wafting off your bodies."
Robin couldn't help but shudder.
"Uh, Garrus?" she stammered, "what did he mean by that?"
"Well," Garrus started slowly, "in relation to humans, our bodies produce significantly more hormones to signify emotion. In tune with our sense, it's a form of behavioral recognition among our own kind."
By now, Saren's mandibles were spread wide apart in a smile.
"Is that all, Vakarian? You sure you haven't missed anything?"
Garrus nodded.
As the elevator arrived, Saren straightened up.
"No need to worry about it too much," Saren concluded, "who you fuck is who you fuck. I'm not going to fuss about it too much."
"I suppose we've got enough of a lead that we can take leave for now," Garrus shrugged nervously.
He hadn't thought that turian hormones wouldn't be problematic in a turian-human relationship. Still, they stepped into the elevator and waited as the elevator descended to the base level.
"Maybe we could take a few days off, rest with your friends?" Garrus suggested as the elevator doors slid open.
Robin nodded lightly.
"I know there's a lot going on," she admitted, "and it's been a while since we had a night together as friends."
Saren strode along calmly before bidding farewell to the others for the day.
"We've all earned ourselves a little break. Have fun."
Robin and Garrus strolled through the Presidium and met up with Liara, Tali, Wrex and Thane.
"So what's our next step?" Wrex asked, still leaning over a railing as he watched the duo approach.
"We're moving towards starving Cerberus of assets and resources. However, we felt it would be good to rest up before we continue onward," Garrus answered simply.
"We did just get out of a fire fight. It's only fair we spend some time off between sessions of nearly getting our heads blown off," Tali agreed.
"What did you have in mind?" Thane asked.
Robin placed her hand behind her head.
"I was thinking of hanging out with my friends," Robin offered, "want to come along?"
Liara's eyes lit up at the proposition.
"That's a sound proposition. Will they have enough room for us?"
Robin tilted her head to the side and placed her finger on her chin while Garrus scratched his mandible.
"I can recall my friends and I fitting into each of our apartments together," she replied, "but I guess it's worth a shot adding a few more guests to the mix."
"Sounds fine by me," Wrex commented, "I'll be fetching my civies then."
And with that, Garrus led Robin and his squad out of the Presidium. Returning to the ship, the group quickly put aside their equipment, gathered their personal belongings and left for Joker's apartment. After Robin knocked on the door, Joker was surprised when he saw the whole group waiting outside.
"Hey! Robin! Guys! She's back!"
Kasumi, Jack, Kaidan and Ashley turned their heads towards the front door just as Robin, Garrus, Liara, Tali, Thane and Wrex stepped inside.
"Hey, guys!" Robin chirped, "how are you doing?"
Kaidan and Ashley exchanged glances before returning their focus to Robin.
"Kaidan and I are settling well in C-Sec," Ashley answered.
Garrus couldn't help but chuckle at the prospect.
"I assume that's going well for you?" he asked.
Ashley nodded.
"In the meantime," Kasumi mentioned, "Joker found the latest vid making fun of Dunn. Want to see it?"
As everyone was brought into the living room to watch on the telescreen Toby Dunn playing along with a young…dancer…singer? Some sort of performer. He couldn't be sure, but as the young dancer's moves were much more refined, Toby was the acting equivalent of a child left to perform among a number of professionals. Needless to say, his singing was atrocious as well. Garrus was wheezing within the first few seconds of watching the performance.
"What…in Spirit's name is tha—" Garrus exclaimed between gasps.
Garrus couldn't finish the sentence as he burst into laughter. As the vid progressed, Robin and her friends couldn't help but burst into laughter at such a ridiculous act.
"Oh my god," Joker laughed, "he looks like an idiot!"
To add more to the ridiculousness, everyone in the living room noticed Toby Dunn was clad in a skimpy outfit that even strippers wouldn't wear.
"How much do you wanna bet the administration made him do this as a dare?" Jack joked.
"Whatever the dare was, the bosh'tet didn't need much incentive to do it," Tali snorted.
By the time the vid ended, Robin and her friends took a few moments to calm down from the hilarity. Even Thane, who had a constant somber vibe surrounding him, couldn't help but break a smile.
"I suppose it would be redundant to ask, but are there any acts of self-embarrassment he's committed prior to this?"
"That's somewhat been the point up until now," Kaidan answered between laughs, "those who aren't his supporters have been treating him as a running joke as opposed to an actual politician."
Robin became calm and leaned back.
"It's only more ridiculous if you count the times he's whined over critics mocking him," Robin mentioned.
"I'm famished," Wrex announced, "what's your guys' plan for dinner?"
Wrex stood from his seat, compelling Kasumi and Kaidan to do the same.
"Likewise, but I would not condone allowing Robin to retrieve the takeout again," Thane agreed.
Robin gave Thane a confused stare. Why did Garrus's squad seem to be encouraging her to stay put?
"How can you be so sure I won't get kidnapped again?" Robin pointed out.
"Maybe we should just go out? Strength in numbers I mean?" Kasumi suggested.
Garrus flexed his mandibles in a way a turian would smile.
"Even better," he replied.
After a ten minute walk through the wards, the group found a multi-species diner, lit up with neon and chrome. The eleven of them quickly came to an agreement and entered. Garrus was so busy looking at the environment that he barely noticed a voice in the crowd.
"Garrus? What are you doing here?"
His vision snapped back on the source before his eyes lit up with surprise.
"Solana?" he warbled.
To Garrus's left, Castis and Solana were also waiting for seats in the diner.
"I didn't think I'd still see you on the Citadel," he continued.
"C-Sec has its busy days as usual," Castis mused.
Moments later, Robin, Garrus and their friends found a table large enough to seat all eleven of them while Solana and Castis found another empty table close by.
"So, how's life been off of the Citadel?" Solana asked her brother's team after placing their order.
"Quite a rush, actually," Tali answered, "Cerberus doesn't play easy, and we've been fighting for every meter we can get."
"It's been physically taxing," Thane admitted.
Even Wrex, the most physically robust member of the group nodded in agreement.
"Fortunately, we're all still alive," Garrus added in an attempt to raise the mood, "how have your lives been?"
Robin took her time to read through the menu like her friends did.
"Relatively quiet, if I were to be honest," Castis started, "nothing new at C-Sec for a while, with the exception of a few bits of paperwork or a small bust."
"I'm still getting used to the title of ambassador," Robin added, "in case you want to know."
"Good to see you're making your way up in this Galaxy," Solana complimented, "it's astonishing you've accomplished so much in so little time."
Robin couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks," she replied, "I was hoping that by exposing Cerberus, I would instigate a rebellion against Toby Dunn, but it turned out to be a bigger involvement than I thought."
"Yeah, most of us did," Joker added, "we thought maybe we could make it clear Toby was up to no good, and we found out Cerberus has every last dirty finger and toe in every pie on Earth the hard way."
Castis let out an enthusiastic hum. As the others continued to discuss life on the Citadel, Garrus reached over to Robin's hand, grasping it gently.
"Did you ever think either of you would be here?" he asked.
Robin shrugged.
"It would've been nice to visit the Citadel," she answered, "I hadn't thought of living here, though."
"I can understand. Looking back at it, it all happened so quickly," Garrus replied.
He paused for a moment.
"Where do you see us…our relationship a year from now?" he continued, "I mean, Saren's had me thinking for a bit…"
"At the moment, I'd like to at least have our relationship accepted by the Alliance," Robin shrugged.
"I don't mean to force you or anything, but…I just want you to be happy. I know it sounds cliche, but knowing that you'd be safe by my side would bring me peace," Garrus finished.
Robin nodded in acknowledgement and brought her turian boyfriend's hand closer to her face, encouraging him to cup it.
"That's all I ask," he proceeded to close the gap between them for the kiss.
"Garrus! You didn't tell me you were dating again!" Solana had unexpectedly drawn the group's attention towards the scene between the two.
Robin and Garrus broke off the kiss and returned the stare to their witnesses.
"W-What's wrong with a cross-species relationship, anyway?" Robin blurted, "it doesn't really bother me."
"Relax, you look closely enough, interspecies relationships are actually very common," Wrex dismissed.
Robin felt herself relax at those words, but she didn't respond.
"But yeah, you two would make perfect match!" Tali encouraged.
While she had picked up subtle queues, she hadn't been sure about the authenticity of the relationship between the commander and ambassador. The silence broke when the waiter arrived with their drink orders.
"I…uh…thanks guys…" Garrus stuttered as the waiter handed him his drink.
He quick exchanged a nervous glance with Robin, who responded with a gentle smile. After taking a sip of her drink, she turned on her omni-tool and eyed a notification from her older brother. She opened the notification and examined the news feeds he sent her. Brendan had sent her two articles: one discussing the Coffee Party's attempt to impeach Dunn and a series of bills senators were trying to pass that would work as legal riot suppression until the crisis ended.
"Something wrong?" Garrus asked?
Robin was still bewildered generally by the message. When she left Earth and had all her social media counts suspended, she could do little else than expect the worst to happen to her family. She continued to feel a mixed sensation from the articles combined with the relief that her brother was possibly still alive.
"Well," Robin replied, "I know my brother's still in fighting shape. He's as much of a political activist as I am."
"Any idea where he is right now?" Garrus could always use another ally.
Robin shrugged before she took another sip of her beverage.
"I'm not sure," she answered, "I know I last saw him with my dad at Shanxi shortly before we left."
"Why is he trying to contact you now? Is he in trouble?" Garrus asked.
"Heads up, guys! Food's here!" Kasumi called out as the waiter approached them.
Garrus' temporary worries were quickly put aside as he suddenly remembered the lingering hunger he had earlier.
"Anyways, on a tangent, he won't mind us, will he?" Garrus asked as he received his order.
Robin simply shook her head as she dug in. She knew her brother was open-minded to this topic, so chances were he wouldn't mind if she committed herself to someone outside of her own species.