Garrus had paused for reflection as he returned to the docks that currently held the SSV Normandy. Liara, Kaidan and Tali had made their way back on board, the Turian stating that he'd be along shortly. It had been ten minutes since they went on board, Garrus still motionless in his spot.

"Looks like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders, Garrus."

Garrus jumped slightly at the voice from his right. He hadn't noticed that Commander Shepard was now stood at his side.

"Excuse me, Commander. I didn't see you there."

Shepard chuckled. "I wasn't sure how stealthy I was compared to my younger days, I appreciate you giving me the vote of confidence in that department." The laughter faded away, instead a more concerned expression now featuring on the man's face. "You didn't answer my question."

"Hm?" Garrus tried to regain his composure. "Oh. Yes. I mean, yes I'm fine, Commander. Don't worry, you're still the one carrying all that weight."

"The hopes, the dreams, the orders.." Shepard mused. A lot of weight. "You know you can always speak to me about anything, right? Even when things are nothing but excellent. I'm a good listener and an even better joke teller."

"No offence, Commander, but I've heard some of your jokes in the mako." Garrus grimaced. "You shouldn't give up your day job."

Shepard frowned. "Hey now. You just need to get used to the style and sophistication, that's all. I mean you're not even giving me much of a chance here. Mako jokes? You haven't even heard my best stuff yet." Shepard's eyes lit up. "Maybe I should do stand-up one night in the mess hall. I could make everyone attend, an excellent use of power. Fourty-five.. no wait, sixty minutes of jokes. What do you say?"

"Ah.."

Shepard burst into a grin before Garrus could answer. He patted the Turian on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Garrus. I'll save that sort of punishment for Saren and the Geth."

Garrus started to laugh. "Sorry, Commander. I just imagined the look on Saren's face if you bring him to justice with attempted laughter. There are rules regarding torture."

Shepard scoffed. "To hell with the rules. Torture by knock-knock jokes, that's what I say."

"What's a.." Garrus quickly shook his head. "Forget I said anything, Commander. I don't think I want to know."

"You're probably right about that, Garrus. Again, you sure you're okay? I thought you were trying to stare a hole through my ship."

Garrus shot a look back to the Normandy. "It's just a little strange being back here and then leaving again so quickly. This was my whole life, this was what I thought I'd do with my life until it came to an end. Trying to make my father proud every day. And now I'm on a different mission. One that I did not expect to be on." Panic suddenly shot through Garrus. "Your concern. Does it have anything to do with my performance? Am I not performing up to standards, Commander?"

Shepard quickly held up his hands. "Easy now, calm down. Nothing of the sought. Excuse my lax terminology, but you're more than up to standards, Garrus. You've surpassed everything that I expected from you in the beginning. I know that you'll continue at that level too due to the targets you set for yourself. You're an excellent edition to the team and we're lucky to have you on board. I'm lucky to have you on my team."

The Turian bowed his head in thanks. "I appreciate you saying that, Commander. I will continue to give my all to the mission in assisting my team mates."

"That's all I can ask from you, Garrus. Actually, scratch that. There's something else. Come by my cabin later. We're heading towards Luna, I'll fill in the whole team once wheels are up. But we've got a bit of time first." Shepard grinned at the fear that was once again forming on Garrus' face. "Don't worry, it's nothing to do with expectations, standards.. and I'll definitely keep the jokes to a minimum. Let's just sit down and chat. I haven't really had much chance to hear from you about you, Garrus Vakarian. All those personal files aren't interesting to me, I'd much rather hear it from the source. Cool?"

"I'm at optimal temperature, Commander. I-" Garrus paused as he caught the look on Shepard's face. "I feel that I might have misunderstood your final.. yes. Yes, I will be there."

"Good." Shepard smiled. "Who knows. Maybe it'll be educational."

Garrus nodded. "I admit you Humans can be confusing. For example, I heard Joker use the words 'jack-off'. What does that mean, Commander?"

Shepard tried to keep the smile off his face. "It could mean one of two things. But hey, lets build up to that. You know you don't have to keep calling me 'Commander', right? You could call me 'Shepard' or even 'John', I have no issues with either.

"I.. mm, Shepard, yes. I can try with that, Commander."

The SPECTRE chuckled to himself as he patted Garrus on the back. "It's a start. You finished staring at the Normandy? I know she's pretty, but we've got places to be."

"Of course, Commander. Right away, Shepard." Garrus groaned. "Sorry."

Shepard just shook his head with a smile as he walked towards the ship, Garrus alongside him. Neither of them noticed the presence of Ashley Williams, the soldier stood alongside some shipping crates across the docks. As Shepard and Garrus disappeared back on board the Normandy, only then did Ashley make her way back to the ship by herself.


Liara approached the cabin door, nervously. She hadn't seen Shepard since the mission briefing about their trip upcoming trip to Luna. She knocked twice, Shepard almost immediately telling her to enter. Shepard wasn't alone, Garrus too was in the room.

"Oh I'm sorry, Shepard. I will return at another time."

Shepard quickly stood from his seat, Garrus also standing. "It's okay, Liara." Shepard shot a glance towards Garrus. "I'm glad we did this."

"Me too, Shepard." Garrus made his way towards the door. "I'll see you in the cargo-bay." The Turian walked towards the door. "Liara."

Liara smiled. "Thank you, Garrus."

As the door closed behind the exiting Turian, Liara watched as Shepard moved to the front of his desk, leaning against the table. "Garrus seems..." She searched for the right word. "Relaxed."

Shepard nodded. "We've been talking for the past hour. Little about life on the Citadel, family etc. He's pretty stoic at first, but once his barriers go down a little, he's quite the conversationalist."

Liara smiled. "Yes, I do agree with that. I'm glad to see that he's finding a place here."

"I know it was a little awkward at first, for all of you. I'm pleased you're all comfortable. You are comfortable, right?"

"Oh yes." Liara quickly confirmed. "All of the Normandy's crew have been so helpful and forthcoming with their kindness. It is a testament to you and how you run your ship, Shepard."

"Thanks Liara." Shepard smiled. "I appreciate that. So what can I do for you?"

Liara stepped forward. Shepard could tell she was nervous about something. Her hands were clasped together nervously by her waist.

"I have a proposal for you, Shepard." The Asari tried to become more confident with her words. "An option that is open to you. Commander, with your permission, I would like to try something. You were touched by the beacon on Eden Prime; the visions are locked inside your mind. You yourself have said that the cipher did not ease your confusion with what you saw. Shiala gave you a deeper understanding of the visions, but you cannot put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I might be able to help you."

"How would you be able help me?" asked Shepard.

"Like Shiala, I can join my consciousness to yours. Maybe my knowledge of the Protheans will help clarify your vision.

So basically you could read my mind? And after how Miranda reacted with Shiala, maybe I'm wise to think this one through.

"I appreciate you bringing this idea to me, Liara." Shepard forced through a smile which was difficult with the thoughts of Liara discovering everything about Miranda flooding through his mind. "Do you mind if I think about it?"

Shepard could tell Liara was disappointed. Her shoulders slumped, the smile written onto her features was a fake, not nearly as good as Shepard's. "Of course, Shepard. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me."

"You're very welcome, Liara. My door is always open to you."

Liara bowed slightly. "Thank you, Shepard." As Liara exited the cabin, she felt the doors close behind her. With her eyes closed, she let out a light sigh before she returned to her room behind the medical bay.


Garrus exited the elevator, walking into the cargo-bay. The Turian was feeling good after his talk with Shepard. He felt closer to the man, knowing him more now than just the Commanding officer of the Normandy as well as the first Human SPECTRE. He glanced across the cargo-bay, laying his eyes directly on Ashley. Garrus felt terrible about the information that he provided to the Gunnery Chief. As Shepard started to share more and more with him, Garrus wanted nothing more than to tell him everything about Ashley's suspicions. But he knew what would happen. He'd be off the Normandy, out in the cold. Garrus wanted to see it through until the end. And so he kept that information close to the chest. But he needed to know to hopefully put it behind him - to move on.

He approached Williams, the soldier working on one of her rifles. "Do you have a minute?" He asked in a hush tone.

Ashley turned to him. "Sure. What's up?"

"I.." Garrus paused, licking his lips. "Did you find out anything? About what we talked about?"

Ashley closed her eyes, her head dropping. "Yeah." The woman sounded resigned. "We were wrong." She met the Turians eyes once more. "I got a message through. Blake is clean."

Garrus felt the relief wash over him. "Spirits. I'm happy to hear that. But you don't seem relieved?"

"I am, trust me, I am." Ashley shook her head. "I just.. I've never gone behind someone's back like this, let alone my Commanding officer. I just feel dirty."

"You had an instinct. Trust me, instincts can go a long way." Garrus too felt wrong about going behind Shepard's back, but knowing it was over went a long way in improving his mindset. "Now we move on. We fight with, and for, Shepard. We don't let him down again."

Ashley smiled weakly. "You're right. I won't make this mistake again."

"Nor will I, Williams. I'll leave you to it." Garrus nodded, turning and walking back towards his station relieved. Ashley watched him as he went before opening up her omni-tool, clicking open the picture of Shepard and Felicity once more. Her eyes narrowed as she closed the attachment, returning her attention towards her rifle.


Obviously in this story, Liara already has a little crush forming on Shepard - no prior mind contact needed to potentially set that off! They'll be on their way to Noveria soon enough. Where does Ashley go from here? How will Shepard and Garrus' deepening friendship effect all parties? Where is Miranda? There's a lot coming at you soon enough - we're heading down a steep slope as the foundations of what'll happen going forward continues to build. And certain paths that will be walked by some (and the consequences they bring) can never be undone.