Hey everyone! Sorry I have been taking so long to update. Work has been really crazy. I have been working six sometimes seven days a week. This was the first week in a long time that I have had a real weekend. Also, I forgot to say that Familial Ties reached 200,000 words last update! (Not including writer's notes). Again, a big thank you to everyone reading/following/favoriting and reviewing! Again, sorry for the delay. Enjoy! PM me any questions or comments if you like!

Chapter 35

"Where do we stand with Shepard's recovery?" a man said above her.

Jane tried to look around but she was frozen in place. She tried harder but her muscles seemed disconnected. I can't feel anything. Why can't I feel anything?! But that voice it sounds familiar.

"She'll be ready. She's in bad shape now but don't worry, we'll hold up our end of the bargain." At first Jane thought everything was silent, but then she heard the exhale of breath as if the speaker had taken a drag on a cigarette The Illusive Man… "I just hope you keep up your end."

"We have the same goal for humanity and Shepard will lead us into that new age. Just make sure that she can be controlled."

"Don't worry, that will be the easiest of our tasks," the Illusive Man replied with a light chuckle. "Doctors, get to work."

Jane could hear the two sets of footsteps leaving the room. She could hear the clinking of metal tools around her and then a large mirror was pushed directly over her body; what was left of it. She stared in horror as her body laid in pieces over the table as if she were a puzzle. A large gash was across her cheek where she recognized her cybernetic scar should have been, fingers were missing on her left hand, skin and muscle were shredded from the arm, showing her fractured bones beneath. Her right arm was in three pieces, a large gash was across her stomach as if she had almost been ripped apart, the left leg wasn't even attached and was twisted halfway down, and her right leg had obvious multiple breaks. All over her body, skin and muscle were missing or burnt. How was she even aware?

She could feel herself try to breathe but her lungs didn't work. What nightmare was this? What was going on? Was this a memory of when she was brought in? Closing her eyes, she tried to snap out of whatever hell she was in.

Deep breath, she thought, Deep, slow breaths… but her breathing was coming faster as she began to panic. Wait, I can breathe again. She opened her eyes and saw that she was sitting in a restaurant on the Citadel.

"Jane, you ok?" John asked as he sat across from her. "You got really quiet all of a sudden."

"Huh?" she mumbled and continued to look around.

"Yeah, Jane, you're acting a little weird," Joker chimed in.

He wasn't there before… was he? "Um… I just, um…"

"Commander Shepard," Udina approached her, "The Council will see us now."

"I didn't realize we were summoned," she answered.

"We called the meeting, more specifically, you did."

"Um, alright." She got up and walked with Udina to the elevator. Why am I walking with him? I don't remember calling this meeting. Something is wrong.

As they waited to reach their destination, Udina leaned in. Jane tried to lean away but she couldn't. "It is time, Shepard," he whispered. "We must show this alien filth what humanity is really capable of."

Jane stared straight ahead. She wanted to turn on him, punch him, shout at him, maybe even shoot him, she couldn't really decide. Slowly, she reached for her pistol and pulled it from her holster. I guess I have decided to shoot him, and frankly she didn't think it was a bad choice.

"Do you understand, Shepard?" he scowled.

She turned her head and stared blankly into him. "Absolutely." What?! What the hell am I saying?

"Excellent," he smirked.

The doors opened and Jane marched forward, Udina stayed in the elevator. With each stride she took, she stayed trapped in her body, unable to arrest her momentum. She couldn't take in her surroundings. She had no idea if anyone was watching her approach the council members with her gun drawn.

"Shepard," Councilor Sparatus said questioningly, "why did you call us here today?" He obviously hadn't seen the gun yet.

"I am here on behalf of humanity. And we are taking our rightful place." In one swift moment, Jane raised the gun and could see his body tense as she sent a round through his head. She could hear screams echoing around her as she moved to her next target, but Councilor Tevos wasn't going down without a fight.

Tevos sent a large ball of biotic energy towards Shepard. Keeping her pistol trained on her target, Jane raised her free hand and wrapped her own biotic energy around the sphere, gave a flick of her wrist and sent the ball towards Councilor Valern. She could hear the salarian scream just before the explosion then Jane fired the shot that killed the asari. She lowered her weapon and watched the devastation before turning slowly to head back to the elevator.

Jane was screaming inside her head, trying desperately to force her body to stop moving but nothing was working. Her body took two steps before someone stood before her, a gun pointed to her head.

"I don't want to have to do this, Shepard," Anderson said. "I don't know what prompted this, but this isn't you. Cerberus brought you back. They must be controlling you."

She could tell what her body was going to do before the actions took place. No, no! Please! Why can't I stop! She felt like tears should be flowing but her eyes were still dry.

"Shepard, please speak. Say something. Anything. Jane?" His hands were steady. He would shoot her if he must.

Suddenly, the gun was yanked from his hand and the biotic mist crushed it before throwing it aside. Jane raised her free hand and the blue flames flowed up her arm to wrap around Anderson's neck, choking him. His hands went up and clawed at nothing, trying desperately to get the force off of his neck so he could breathe. Her biotics lifted him off the ground, pulling him into her outstretched hand.

She stared into his eyes, the blood vessels already bursting. "The old Shepard is dead." Planting the gun to his temple, she pulled the trigger and blood splattered over her.

Jane screamed in her body again, her mind sobbing.

C-Sec guards began to swarm around her. She threw Anderson's lifeless body into a set of guards and began to send waves of biotic energy out to meet her attackers. She walked in long strides back to the elevator. By the time she reached Udina again, there were only dead bodies in her wake.

"Excellent work, Shepard," Udina smiled.

The elevator doors closed and Jane stared directly into her reflection. Her face was splattered with blood and her cybernetic scars glowed bright red.

Seeing the familiar yet foreign face caused Jane to go into overdrive, trying to force the unknown controlling force from her. It almost felt like her biotics were going crazy but everything on the outside seemed normal and controlled.

Once the doors opened, she and Udina stepped out and headed towards a line-up of human guards, though she could only see their backs. She stood with Udina at the far left end. Jane immediately recognized who the guards were facing: her crew, every non-human.

"We'll start with these," Udina said.

Jane looked at him and in the reflection of his eyes could see her own stony expression.

"You will start with removing those you have associated with in the past. Starting with your team. It will send a clear message and we will eventually get the rest of them. Prove your loyalty."

"And those that are human?" she asked.

"They can be… persuaded to our way of thinking. If not, they will be taken care of." He nodded to the line-up, "Carry on."

Jane reloaded her pistol. She looked down the line and saw them all on their knees with the arms restrained and guards both in front and behind them. First in the line-up was Mordin. He seemed to stand tall despite his current position. He didn't say a word, only closed his eyes as Jane pulled the trigger. She could hear a few gasps from down the line and she moved on to her next target.

"Shepard," the gruff krogan voice rumbled. "What did they do to you? A great warrior as yourself –"

She pulled the trigger three times across his head to make sure there was no chance at regeneration. Jane could feel herself trying to cry on the inside but she couldn't break free of her prison.

"Shepard?" Liara cried. "Come back to us. Please." The tears streamed down her blue skin.

One of her best friends faced her death and it would Jane's fault. Her own doing. She raised the gun and planted it against the asari's forehead.

Another shot echoed in the chamber.

At the same time, she heard Tali's scream. "NOOO! Jane! What happened to you? They made you into a monster! What has Cerberus done to you?!"

It was Jane's fear. Something that she had felt Tali wanted to say the last time she had seen her. Only this time, Jane believed her. She was a monster. Jane screamed again and again inside her head, invisible tears flowing down her face. She tried to close her eyes, she didn't want to see what would come next; she had suffered enough heartache at witnessing and causing the death of her friends.

She could still feel herself pull the trigger.

She stepped in front of the last individual. His head was lowered. She looked down at the turian fringe. No. No. No! I won't do it! I can't! She tried to send out a biotic blast to push everyone away and force the imposing control over her body out. But it didn't work.

"Jane…" he whispered. Garrus lifted his head to look into her eyes; fierce blue piercing into her soul. "I can tell you aren't you. And I forgive you."

Garrus, no…

"Just let me tell you one thing."

Jane could feel her body try to pull the trigger but it hesitated. Maybe I can stop this. I can! I must!

"Jane, I love you. I always have and always will."

She stood shocked. Felt the moisture welling up and flowing out of her eyes.

Her body began to lower her arm, the pistol slowly moving back to her holster.

Yes. Thank God…

But barely before the thought had finished forming, her arm rose quickly and fired a shot through his forehead. She screamed inside her head, her very soul seeming to rip apart. She looked down at his lifeless body, the blue blood pooling around him and she was reminded of when he had been shot down by Tarak but this was worse. Much worse.

She couldn't hear anything that was going on around her. She was just simply consumed by her pain. A hand touched her shoulder and she could tell that Udina was complimenting her on her work. She tried to move but nothing worked.

This can't be real! It can't be real! She sobbed.

Then she heard his voice. A voice she loved. So quiet, yet so filled with earnest desire, "Wake up, Jane."

Her eyes snapped open, fear and despair still filling her. But there was an arm under her, and a hand on her cheek and Garrus's face fractions from hers. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. Her cheeks and eyes stung from both new and old tears. "Garrus?" she managed to whisper, mostly in shock, and without even thinking, threw her arms around him. It wasn't real. It's not real. Thank God. "Garrus, why are you here? What happened?"

"You needed me."

She felt his arms go around her and his head rest against hers. It was comforting to know that he was still alive. She could never hurt him.

"Jane, did you hear me?"

The tears were still streaming down her face as she tucked her head, pressing her cheek against his chest. Hearing his heartbeat helped to slow hers down and she sighed a shaky breath. "Of course I did," she answered, "but what do you mean I needed you?"

"No," his breath rustled her hair, "I mean, did you hear what I said before that?"

"But… you didn't say anything before that." Despite not wanting to distance herself, she leaned away slightly so she could see his face; she couldn't tell for sure but he seemed in pain. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," he smiled. He wiped a tear falling down her cheek and pulled her back to him, "nothing at all." He sat still, holding her close to him, waiting for her breath to return to a steady pace. He subconsciously began to run his talons across her scalp. He only became aware of what he was doing when he heard her sigh and move her head along with his talons. Looking down, he smiled, happy to be in this moment. Her fringe was down; the golden tendrils every which way across her back. It was at that moment when he realized the length seemed wrong.

Jane relaxed into him and lost herself at the feel of his talons. He was able to wipe away her fear so quickly. Her arms stayed around him, unsure of the result if she let go. She didn't want him to back away from her again.

"So…" Garrus broke the silence, "what idiot put a window above your bed?"

God dammit! They're trying to keep secrets on this fucking ship! I knew I shouldn't have trusted these Cerberus bastards. Where is that coming from?! Jack paced in her area of the ship, constantly looking up whenever she felt another biotic pulse. Something isn't right. As she waited, debating what to do next, Jack counted the time between biotic pulses.

Making up her mind, she sprinted up the stairs, determined to find the source. She punched the button for the elevator and paced. After two in the fucking morning… What the hell is happening on this ship? I knew I shouldn't have boarded this Cerberus trap. When the elevator finally arrived, it had been quite a while since she had felt the last drop of biotic energy. The doors opened and Jack looked up as if she could see through the layers of metal. She entered and stared at the buttons. Top level. Shepard's cabin. It has to be coming from her. And if it's not, then she would know what is going on.

She continued to pace as the elevator ascended. When it finally reached the top level the doors opened and she started to storm out but she skidded to a halt. In front of her was the pilot, Jester or some ridiculous nickname like that, and a woman, who Jack assumed was the resident doctor, both sitting on the floor next to the door of Shepard's cabin. "What the fuck?"

Joker raised his hand, pointing at her, "Jack, right? Nice outfit."

She planted her fists on her hips, "And who the fuck is asking?"

"You can call me Joker. I'm the pilot of the Normandy. This is Dr. Chakwas."

"That's nice. If you don't mind I have to ask Shepard something."

"You can't go in there," Chakwas said.

"And why not?" Jack snapped. Even as she said it, she felt awkward. Who yells at a lady like this? She had a very motherly quality about her and her eyes demanded respect. "I just need to ask her what is going on," she said a little more quietly.

"What are you talking about?" Joker said questioningly.

"Seriously?" Jack raised her voice when she turned back to Joker. "You're going to try to play it off like nothing is going on? I felt someone's biotics. Was it Shepard's?"

"Joker, we need to get you to the med-bay."

"What the hell happened to you?" Jack crossed her arms.

"If I promise to tell you, will you shut up and help?"

"Depends. This is kind of amusing right now." She saw him roll his eyes and the disapproving look given to her by Chakwas. "Alright, alright. But I expect you to fill me in on this shit. I didn't willingly board a Cerberus vessel to be blind-sided."

"Same here," Joker mumbled which prompted a smile from Jack.

Jane listened to his deep, slow breaths. They were now sitting next to each other; she was leaning against him, her head on his shoulder as his arm rested around her. Before they had settled into their current position, when they separated, all Jane could feel was the empty space around her and it began to choke her with a fear that nothing was real. Now, every time she doubted, she twitched and felt him against her, instantly calming her.

Garrus focused on his breaths, trying to keep them even in case she was paying attention to them. He was worried about her. She hadn't said anything for quite a while. After he had joked about her window, she answered, smiled, and then adjusted to sit on the edge of the bed a couple feet from him. When he noticed her hands begin to shake that he decided to try to comfort her again. Without saying anything, he had slid closer to her and put his arm around her. To his surprise, she had rested her head on his shoulder and let out an almost inaudible sigh. He just wished that he could have moments close to her when she wasn't in so much pain.

The sound of the door opening drew their attention and caused Jane to tense, moving away from Garrus.

"Sorry to interrupt," Dr. Chakwas said as she stood in the doorway. "Jane, I'd like to check over you."

"Of course. Please come in," Jane said quietly.

Garrus got up to give the doctor and her patient some space. He crossed his arms as he waited. It didn't take long for him to become impatient and began to pace. As he saw Chakwas adjust to get up, he saw Jane fidget with her shaking hands.

"Chakwas?" Jane asked. "If you were woken up for me, why weren't you here earlier?" she knew something was off and wouldn't settle for anything less than the truth.

Karen stood up and closed the scanner; everything checked out with Shepard, it was only psychological. "Overall, you are healthy. What occurred with you is in your mind. And I had another patient that needed me sooner than you did."

"Who was it?" it was an unnecessary question because Jane was sure she knew what happened while she was unconscious.

"It was Joker," Karen answered quietly. She saw the pain in Jane's eyes.

"I hurt him… didn't I?"

Chakwas looked over at Garrus, silently asking for help. He picked up where the doctor didn't know the full details. "Jane," he started, "you were sending off pretty intense biotic shockwaves. When he opened the door to help you, a blast knocked him against a wall."

Tears started to fill Jane's eyes again as she hung her head, ashamed of what she had done.

"He will be just fine, though," Karen picked up. "He is down in the med bay right now and he will recover without any future problems."

"Thank you, Chakwas… I'll be fine," Jane managed to say.

Before leaving she looked at Garrus who gave a quick nod. "Alright. If you need anything, I'll be down in the med-bay."

Once the door shut, Garrus moved to kneel in front of Jane. He wrapped his talons over Jane's shaking hands, "He'll be fine. He was just worried about you."

"He came to help me before, Garrus. It's surprising I didn't hurt him them. I guess it was only a matter of time before I hurt those around me. I can't…" her voice drifted off. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine."

"What did I do to you?"

"Nothing. Come on, do you see a scratch on me?" Garrus stood and gave a slow turn, smiling at her.

She felt like absolute shit but his movements and smile still, somehow, provoked the corner of her mouth to turn up and allowed her heart to feel a little less lost.

"Hmm, nothing to say. Obviously I'm perfect."

"You could say that," Jane said before she realized the connotation; she quickly looked away.

Everything got a little quiet but it was a comfortable silence.

"Have you eaten?"

"No," she said. "What? Don't give me that look. I went to sleep as soon as you left my room. You even suggested that."

"Sorry," he smiled. "I guess it is my fault. How about we go down and get something to eat? I'll make you something." He watched her lower her head, refusing to look at him.

"I don't… I don't know if I can eat what you cook."

"I am not that bad of a cook."

She huffed out a laugh. "No, I mean… I haven't eaten dextro food since –" she cut herself off, "since I came back. I haven't even opened my tea."

"Then I guess it is time to find out if you can still handle it." He had never met a human that took to dextro food and drink as easily as her and he was sure that she could still tolerate, and maybe even benefit, from it. "Even if you can't, we know Chakwas is already up. And you'll be right next to med-bay."

Jane lifted her head and gave him a small smile. "Alright. Let's see." She stood up and walked past Garrus, making a quick pit stop to grab the box of tea from her desk.

He waited for her to lead the way, letting her set the pace. As soon as they reached the elevator, they both leaned against the wall, listening to the quiet hum of the ship. As soon as they reached their destination, he snatched the box out of her hands, smiling. She reached to take it back but Garrus held it out of her reach and walked backwards to the kitchen station, watching Jane. She was smiling a little more, though he was sure she was still hurting.

"I can make it," Jane said holding her hand out for the box.

"Don't worry, I've got it."

"I'm not inept. I can do it."

Garrus smiled and turned around to begin making the tea, ignoring Jane's last comment. He sensed her move and quickly put his arm out of her reach.

"Garrus, come on!" she jumped for it again and he gently pushed her back. Moving around him she tried to steal the box but he had already switched hands.

Tossing the item onto the counter, Garrus turned around closed his hands around Jane's waist to pick her up and set her on the counter. "Stay."

She sat in shock for a moment before glaring at him. "I am not a dog."

"Just sit there and let me take care of this. Is that too much to ask?"

Jane smiled at him, "Alright, alright, I'll stay here."

Both were completely unaware to their one person audience across the room. Jack folded her arms over her chest as she watched the interaction between the commander and the turian. Without looking away, she asked over her shoulder, "So, what is the deal with those two? They fucking or what?" to Joker.

"You seem to forget that I can't see over there," Joker responded. He didn't even try to move to see what Jack was talking about.

"Shepard and the turian. What's his name?"

"Oh, those two. No. They're both into each other but the other doesn't know it. His name is Garrus. Garrus Vakarian." Joker started to close his eyes as he rested against the pillow but suddenly snapped them back open and turned his head to the woman, "But don't you dare say anything. They have to figure it out on their own.

"Ah, damn. For a guy named Joker you aren't much fun." Walking away from the window, she pulled a chair up to Joker's bed and sat down. "How long have those two been dancing around each other?"

"Why the sudden interest in Shepard's love life? What is this? High school?"

"Don't you know life is all just a series of high school dramas? Who's in what clique. Who's sleeping with whom. The whole thing. Besides, I like to know my surroundings and be prepared for anything. What makes people tick. Helps me to better read what I am getting into."

"Shouldn't you have done that before you boarded a Cerberus vessel?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Touché." Putting her feet up on his bed she leaned back in the chair. "Alright, spill it."

"I don't know. I don't think I should gossip." He laughed at the look on Jack's face, an 'are you fucking kidding me' kind of look. "Yeah, thought so. Little backstory on him, he is best friends with Shepard's brother, John. They were in C-Sec together and also joined the first Normandy basically together. We all became pretty close."

"Yeah, obviously some closer than others," Jack nodded her head in the direction of Jane and Garrus. "So, what? Those two haven't boned because he is friends with her brother?" Joker shrugged in response. "Well, if that is the reason, it's a lame excuse."

"I know. Tell them that."

"Okay, I will," she swung her legs off the bed but didn't get up from the chair when she saw Joker lean to stop her. "Don't hurt yourself. I'm not going," she chuckled. Propping her feet back up she started to pick at her fingernails. "You do realize that's not enough info for me, right?"

"What the hell do you want me to do? Stay up all night telling you the story?"

"Well, there are other ways of keeping you up all night." At the look on Joker's face she burst out in laughter. "Ahhahaha! You wish."

Garrus handed the cup of tea to Jane and took a sip of his own. She accepted it with a smile but only held it in her hands, staring at the liquid. "You need to move it to your mouth to drink it," he teased.

She smiled again, "I know. I'm just worried that it won't taste the same." At his questioning look she continued. "I've noticed, since…" she couldn't say it, "recently, my taste buds have changed. So far I haven't encountered something that I used to love and now hate, it's just that things don't taste the same way I remember." She looked down at the cup, "This is one thing I don't want to lose."

"Well, there's only one way to find out. But you know you don't have to."

She looked up at Garrus, back to her cup and took a tentative sip. Drinking a little more, she pulled her cup away and touched her fingertips to her lips in thought. Looking up at Garrus, she smiled, "It's almost better than I remember."

"See? Nothing to worry about," Garrus smirked at her and turned around to finish with the food.

Jane watched him cook as she drank more of her tea. The stark difference between her nightmare and what was before her now left her feeling dizzy. This felt like it couldn't be real, closer to heaven, almost. While he had his back turned, she debated on pinching herself to see if she was still asleep, but the pain in her dreams seemed real anyway. But even if this wasn't real, she could continue to fantasize about him.

"Alright," he turned around with a plate of very hot food, "let it cool off a bit, but let me know what you think." Spearing one on his talon, he popped it into his mouth as he set the plate next to her.

"How come you get to eat now?"

"Because I'm a turian and I can handle the heat."

"Maybe I can too," she reached for one and he pushed her hand away. "Hey!"

"Don't do it. Give it a little bit."

Jane snatched a piece with her other hand and leaned away so he wouldn't take it from her. He released her hand and waited. She looked at him, smiling. It was pretty hot in her fingers, he definitely wasn't lying. She eyed him, then began to blow on it.

He looked at her, intrigued, "What are you doing?"

"Cooling it off. Those with lips have that ability," she said in a mocking tease.

"Hmm… Well, I don't need cheap tricks like that," he smirked.

"Jerk," she said with a smile. She tossed it in her mouth and rolled it around to see what her taste buds thought. "It's actually pretty good."

"I'm glad you can taste it. Think you can taste more than you did last time you had dextro food?"

"It's hard to say, but I think so." She picked up another piece, "Maybe your cooking just got better."

"Yeah, yeah... no need to be mean. Come on, I just made you food." He speared another one and brought it to his mouth.

Jane watched the movement and imagined herself grabbing his hand and eating the piece of food off his talon and then… Her fantasy was cut short as the food disappeared into his mouth. Oh my god… what is wrong with me? She blinked slowly and looked away, biting into the piece she was holding.

He studied her expression, "Everything okay?"

"Huh? Yeah… yeah, fine."

They finished the plate in silence and continued to stay in the kitchen. Jane was still up on the counter as Garrus cleaned (refusing to accept any of her help).

"Thank you, Garrus. I don't know what I would do without you."

"You're welcome," he smiled. "Feeling a little better?"

She nodded.

"Are you going back to sleep?"

"I don't know if I can."

"I'll stay up with you, if you want."

"Thanks… I think I'll take you up on that."

"So, no adverse effects from the dextro food?"

She hopped down from the counter. "Not at all. I think some of my taste buds are still developing."

"You're welcome to join me for any meal if you want."

"Thanks, big guy."

They made their way to the elevator, both leaning against the wall next to each other. While the other wasn't looking, they would glance at the other, wondering what was going through their minds. The door opened to her cabin and Jane stood in the entryway.

Garrus was about to ask what was wrong but when he stood behind her, he saw it was the mess they had left behind. "Hey, it's okay. We don't have to worry about it now if you don't want," Garrus whispered as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Jane didn't reply. She moved over to the office area and began to pick up everything around her. She heard Garrus do the same next to her. After setting what she had up on the desk, she picked up the last item, the turian cruiser model. Running her fingers of the broken edges, she sat down and leaned against the wall. As she stared at the broken ship, she saw Garrus's hand close around it and she released it.

He gently placed the cruiser on the desk and put his hands out for Jane, "I'll fix it for you. Come on, let's not worry about everything right now."

She nodded and placed her hands in his and he pulled her upright. Her hands lingered in his before finally letting go and walking around him. Standing between the couch and the bed, she was unsure where to be.

"Hey," Garrus said loud enough to snap her out of her thoughts, "Why don't we have one of those movie nights like before?"

"I don't have any of my movies anymore."

"I'm sure EDI can find them. What's the point of having a super AI if you can't use it for pointless requests?"

Jane chuckled a little, "EDI?"

"Yes, Shepard?"

"Can you find an old movie for me? 'Stardust', Earth Year 2007."

They only had to wait a few seconds before the movie started to play on the wall.

"EDI, how did you get that so fast?" Jane asked.

"When searching for the list of music you gave me, I found a few archives cataloguing many forms of entertainment. I saved those for future reference in case you wanted to add those to your collection as well."

"Thank you, EDI," Jane smiled. "Um…" she turned to Garrus, "ready to watch a movie?"

"Absolutely," Garrus grinned as he stretched out on her bed like he had done before.

"Well, just make yourself at home, why don't you?"

"Already did. Feel free to join me," he laughed.

Jane laid on the bed, resting her hands on her stomach. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed Garrus's hand, pulling it into view. She inspected it carefully, like she had before, and ran her fingers along his and to the ends of his talons. "Your talons are sharper than I remember."

"Yeah, sorry. I haven't taken the time to file them down in a long time." He wasn't sure how long he could tolerate her gentle touching before wanting more. "I can't really say I have had much of a social life to remind me to keep them filed. I didn't even think about not having my gloves on me when I came up here."

"That's okay. I've told you before, it doesn't bother me." She set his hand back down and turned her head to the side to look at him. When his gaze met hers, she bit her lip. God dammit, Jane. Get control of yourself, she thought as she forced herself to look away. You're vulnerable and in pain. You can't do this.

The movie played on, both of them silent during the film. Garrus caught her dozing off a few times, but he could tell she was fighting it. He was feeling pretty tired himself and would be glad when she finally did fall asleep. She made it to the end of the movie but as soon as the credits began to run, she was out. Readjusting her in the bed, he pulled the blanket over her then slid in himself.

With her breathing steady, he was sure she was fast asleep. He lightly stroked her cheek, running his talons through her hair. "I'll always be here for you, Jane. Even if I can never be with you the way I would like to be."

Jane's eyes slowly opened and took a few seconds to enjoy the calm waking. She then began to pay attention to her situation: Garrus was asleep on his back with his head turned towards her, her arm resting across his chest, and her head resting on his shoulder as his arm was across her back, his hand resting just above her hip. Without looking away from him she whispered, "EDI? You there?"

"Yes, Shepard. What may I assist you with?" she replied just as quietly.

"Can you set a course for Horizon? Even with Joker unavailable?"

"Of course, Shepard. Course is routing now. I will notify you when we are close to our destination."

"Thank you, EDI."

A few minutes passed with Jane enjoying the peace and quiet. Reaching up, she lightly touched her hand to Garrus's scarred face. "How do I tell you that I love you? Why can't I ever find the right time?" Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh before resuming the position she had been in when she woke up and went back to sleep.

Mini SPOILER: We will probably be visiting other characters before diving into the Horizon mission.