Ok, first I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to review… you guys REALLY rock…. I've said before, that reviews are crack for writers, and that is still true. When you write something and people take the time to comment on it, especially if they have their own spin, or think you've nailed a character, it really does inspire them to write more. I especially love those that ask questions… WHY do I see Garrus loving a nest? WHY does he vocalize… things like that are great because they get me to think and put my thoughts down on paper/computer. I honestly give a lot of thought to certain things I decide for my characters, and some of it might not be explained completely in the story. A good example is a question I got about my putting Garrus and Shepard in a nest…. I actually gave it a lot of thought and explained it. I guess it might sound stupid, but I don't just write something on a page, even with Fan Fiction… whether it's original work, or fan fiction, I give a lot of thought to everything I write (and yes, I write original fiction as well, I just don't have anywhere to post it).

Anyway, before this author's note becomes a book… I appreciate everyone who reviews, writes me privately and favorites my story/self. THANK YOU. And a big thank you to BioWare… for the universe, but also for screwing up the ending of ME3 so bad I HAD to write my own, LOL. And an even BIGGER thanks to Marie Fan-Writer, my beta, for all she does (and puts up with!) for me!

BEGIN

It really was amazing how quickly things had gotten back to "normal". She and Garrus went to mess the morning after their reunion and no one gave them a second look. Sitting at the table, one of her fingers around one of his talons, they talked to others even as they sat close together. She expected him to drop her hand when the Primarch walked in, but he didn't; instead he squeezed her hand and brought it to his lips to nuzzle.

"Hey Lola…?"

Shepard looked down the table at James Vega, raising her eyebrows. He'd started calling her that a couple of days ago. Garrus had seemed a bit perturbed for a while, but seemed to have relaxed now, especially since he now had his own nickname. "What's up, Vega?"

"The Merc was telling us how you guys used to spar on the Normandy before… you ought to re-instate that…."

Shepard exchanged a look with Garrus, and then with Miranda, who sat down the table the other way, both shrugged. She looked back at Vega and said, "Ok… any reason why?"

"Same reason as before… helps get people ready, and keeps shit calm…."

She looked at Garrus who nodded, "It's pretty common on a turian vessel… it does help keep people calm and gives them a way to blow off steam…."

The Primarch had just gotten a plate of Dextro food and moved to sit next to Garrus, who nodded to him when he said, "There are many similarities between turians and humans; the reaction to adrenaline is one. The turian military found out to our folly that if you do not give soldiers an outlet for their adrenaline driven actions, they will find their own…."

Zaeed nodded and said, "It's like a pot… you set the water to boil, but if you got it tight closed, eventually it'll explode… but you give it a pressure release and it's fine… just noisy." The crew laughed and Shepard nodded,

"Yea… I can see that. Any suggestions?" her gaze encompassed everyone from the Primarch to Vega to the Cook. One of the things that made Shepard such a damn good leader was her willingness to listen to her subordinates; all of them.

The Primarch clicked his mandibles, the turian equivalent to shrugging, she'd found out, and said, "Turian ships are a lot less strict about fraternization", with a look at her and Garrus' joined hands. Shepard would have put them under the table, but Garrus held fast, keeping them right there in the open. The Primarch continued, "Sparring is also an excellent choice. There are others, games of chance, in house competition, team work and team building episodes. I'd be happy to offer in depth advising to whomever is tasked with the responsibility of crew morale…." Primarch took a drink of his hot beverage and made a strange sound, looking into the cup with surprise, "This is extremely good… I hadn't expected a good cup of kapha aboard a human vessel!"

Shepard grinned, pointing at Gardner in the kitchen, "Thank our cook, Gardner… he's a whiz at making food and drinks from multiple worlds!" The Primarch looked over at the bald man and raised his cup,

"This is incredible, Mr. Gardner… if I didn't know better, I'd say I was Palavan itself. If the food is half as good as the kapha, I may have to watch my weight, or let my armor out…" there was laughter and Gardner chuckled, turning beet red,

"Glad you like it, Primarch I took some classes in making turian food while the commander was… gone." There was quiet, as everyone, including Gardner wondered if bad memories had been brought up, but Shepard waved a hand,

"I'm glad to see you put your time too good use, Rupert…." Everyone relaxed and Garrus turned to Victus and said,

"Wait until he makes a "meatloaf" with Callah meat… it's incredibly good."

The Primarch nodded, "I await it with baited breath."

Looking over at Vega again, she said, "All right then, Mr. Vega… looks like you just volunteered as Chief Moral Officer…." Vega cursed in Spanish, but Shepard just laughed and said, "So get cracking… the Primarch volunteered to give you some advice," she hesitated, then turned to the Primarch and said, "Though I don't want to take you from your work… it's incredibly nice of you to offer, but…."

The Primarch held up a hand, "Please, Commander… it would give me something to other than look at the extremely depressing casualty reports… and I'm mostly at loose ends until the summit…."

Shepard grinned, "Great… Vega, talk to the Primarch, see what you two can set up."

But Vega wasn't done yet, "I hear you and Scars put on a hell of a show, Lola… want to put on a rematch?"

Shepard glanced at Garrus, who grinned, and she said, "Sure… why the hell not… Garrus?"

Garrus gave Shepard an amused look then said, "If we can make it work, then Yea…definitely"

None of the crew knew why Shepard nearly choked on her hash browns, or why Garrus looked extremely pleased with himself as he patted her on the back.

CHAPTER BREAK

Shepard mentally prepared herself for the arrival at the Citadel. They needed to set in a supply of food and drink, for various species, and some ships supplies as well as give the crew a little shore leave. After this, they'd be heading directly to Tuchunka and no one knew when the next break would be. Standing at the Galaxy map, she was so busy making notes that she didn't hear the Primarch walk up to her.

"Excuse me, Commander Shepard?"

Giving a little "eep" of surprise, Shepard managed not to drop her pad, or spin around, but to turn like a grown woman and say, "Primarch… how can I help you?"

"I was hoping you could arrange for me to be taken to the Presidia to meet with the Turian Ambassador…."

"Of course, Primarch…" mentally she went through who she had to accompany him that would be good security. Zaeed was out, while she trusted him implicitly, putting him in with the Primarch was probably not going to fly. Thane could handle it, but she'd promised him time to meet his son. With a sigh, she realized she'd have to renege on that deal, unless the Primarch's business was quick. "Edi, please summon Garrus and Thane up to the CIC for security duty."

She looked at the Primarch, who was watching her carefully. After a few moments of silence, she began to feel like a mouse in a field, with a hawk overhead. She fought, successfully, not to fidget before Victus said, "Forgive me for being blunt, Commander… but as a fellow soldier, I believe you can handle it. How deep is your relationship with Vakarian?"

Shepard hesitated, irritated. On one hand, she'd never been one to hide her relationship, but she didn't know what Garrus wanted his superiors to know. Throwing caution to the wind, she looked directly into the Primarch's eyes and said, just as the doors opened to let Garrus and Thane onto the CIC, "Garrus and I are Bondmates, Primarch… with all that it entails; and yes, I know what I'm saying."

Garrus, entering the CIC, heard his mate make that proclamation, and froze, causing Thane to run into him from behind. Thane threw his hands out to grab the elevator doors, murmuring, "Garrus, perhaps if you were to move to the side, we both might be able to enter the CIC". Garrus looked at his mate, chin raised, eyes only for the Primarch, daring him to disapprove or say anything less than positive. A thrill ran through his fringe; if his mate was this brave, could he be any less?

Shepard knew that Garrus was on the CIC, but she refused to look to him or act guilty. Their relationship was not something to hide, or be ashamed of. So she stood, chin up, waiting for the Primarch to say something; or for Garrus to say or do something. Garrus strode from the elevator, taking his place at his mate's side, facing the Primarch together. He watched them, noting that Garrus was prepared to do anything to protect and support his mate… and that the Commander was not in the least worried about anyone knowing. He glanced around and saw that several of the ship's crew had moved to stand closer to their Commander; including the drell who now stood directly behind and to the left of the bondmates.

"I… see. Well, before this invasion, I would have said that taking a human as a mate, let alone a Bondmate, might have negatively affected Vakarian's chances at favorable rankings. However, with this new turn of events, and of course, Commander, who you are… well, he may still rise beyond his current situation. Perhaps even to challenge me, thought I can honestly tell you I wouldn't fight it if you wanted my job, Vakarian."

Shepard gazed over her shoulder at Garrus, considering. He looked really uncomfortable, so she moved on. "Primarch, I appreciate your candor. We'll make sure that you get to the Presidium. Is there anything else you need while we're here?"

The Primarch cocked his head to the side and said, "Perhaps you and I could meet on the Citadel and have a… talk, Commander."

Taken by surprise, she simply nodded, "All right… any particular subject?"

The Primarch fluttered his mandibles and said, quietly, "Why don't we wait for that time to discuss it?"

Shepard sensed Garrus tensing, but he said nothing and Shepard nodded carefully, "Of course, Primarch… perhaps we can meet at Apollo's Café? Just send me a message when you've completed your business…."

The Primarch nodded and turned to stride toward the airlock. Shepard turned to Thane and said, apologetically, "I'm sorry, Thane… I know I said you could have the day with your son…."

Thane waved off her apology, "It is fine, Siha… I am aware that plans must at times be changed. I will let Koylat know that I am delayed… and will meet him if possible."

Shepard nodded, "When the Primarch meets me at the Apollo you'll be free to go… I can handle it from there."

Thane frowned, "I do not wish to abandon you… you might still have need for me…."

Shepard shook her head, her expression booked no arguments, "We'll always need you, Thane… but Garrus and I can take it from that point… you will see your son on this trip. I think I'm still sharp enough for a little security.

Thane lowered his head in a slight bow, "Of course you are, Siha… I meant no disrespect… it is simply my own need to protect, I believe…."

Thane headed over toward the airlock and Shepard reached out to take Garrus' hand, drawing him close and said, "I know we don't have time now, but later if you want to yell at me for making our relationship public, I will be at your mercy."

Garrus shook his head, "I was a little shocked at when you chose to do it, but I have nothing but admiration and pride in our Bonding, Lia… no yelling needed."

A bit surprised, she cleared her throat, "right… ok then. You ok doing the security thing? Though from what the Primarch said, maybe I ought to be getting security for you too…."

Garrus looked abashed, but said, "Can we just drop it, Shepard? It's really not important, and I think the Primarch is ready to go…."

Her eyes flashing with amusement at Garrus discomfort, she said, "Ok, Mate… but we ARE talking about this later…." Garrus looked askance and Shepard took pity on him, giving him a quick hand squeeze before sending him off with the Primarch.

CHAPTER BREAK

It was a long damn day. Having completed the shopping necessary for the ship, Shepard made her way to the Apollo Café for her meeting with the Primarch. When she arrived, the Primarch was already sitting at a table near the back; Garrus sat near him, eyes moving around as he kept watch. To Shepard's surprise, two turian C-Sec officers stood near the Primarch. Making her way over to them, the C-Sec turians stepped toward her, but at a word from the Primarch, stepped back to their post. Both the Primarch and Garrus rose to their feet, but Garrus stepped forward to take her hand, but hesitated before taking it, glancing around. Lia frowned, be damned if she was going to hide this… so she stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to his mandible as he wrapped an arm around her to guide her to the table. Once she was sitting, the Primarch and Garrus both joined her.

"I sent Thane off to see his son once the Ambassador assigned the Primarch some security." Garrus told her. The Primarch smiled in his turian way and said,

"Commander Shepard, if you have any drawbacks at all, it's that you're very insular… you expect to have to do everything yourself, or with your team and do not think of asking outside help."

Shepard shrugged, "Well, to be honest, up to now, every time I've asked the Council for the time of day they've told me to go f…." Garrus cleared his throat and Shepard changed what she was about to say, with a grin, "Do it myself."

The Primarch and Garrus both chuckled, knowing full well what she'd been about to say. Sighing a bit, the Primarch continued, "There is still a lot of lingering resentment for the Relay 314 incident."

Shepard made a non-committal sound and changed the subject, "Hmmm, I haven't been out to eat in ages… I wonder what's good here…."

The Primarch turned to Garrus and said, "Vakarian… you're neglecting your mate! You should take her out more often…."

Shepard sputtered and tried to fix her faux pas, "No, it's not Garrus it's…" but Garrus covered her hand with his own, chuckling,

"The Primarch is making a joke, amica."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Primarch…. I guess social niceties escape me…."

The Primarch waved a hand, "No need to apologize… you're a soldier, first and foremost. Seldom does a soldier have time to figure out which fork to eat with… a situation I fully understand, having been a lifelong soldier myself."

"And yet you have exquisite manners, Primarch…."

He spread his mandibles wider and said, "Rearing, I'm afraid… the habits of my first fifteen years are not so easily forgotten… as Garrus will attest…."

She glanced at Garrus, whose mandibles were tight, showing discomfort. Shepard filed that away for future consideration. Her "to be discussed" list with Garrus was getting pretty long.

As the waitress came, Shepard ordered a steak, medium rare, with French fries and a chocolate malt. The turians both placed their orders as well and once the waitress left, there was a silence. Shepard finally broke it,

"So, Primarch… what can I do for you?"

The Primarch chuckled, "A soldier, through and through… no hesitation, no couching it in pretty words, just a question about the situation; cut right to the heart of the matter."

Shepard shrugged, but look at the Primarch, she didn't know I she'd been insulted or not, but wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of asking. Clearing his throat, the Primarch said, "Commander…"

Whatever the Primarch was going to ask was cut off as a shot rang out on the commons and Garrus, Shepard and both security officers threw themselves on the Primarch dragging him back against a wall and shielding him with their bodies. The Primarch squawked, which if Shepard hadn't been so preoccupied would have made her laugh. Shepard made sure the security were all but sitting on the Primarch before she nodded to Garrus who, with his superior reach, snagged the table and pulled it over to them, before knocking it on its side. With the table as a minimal cover, Shepard moved away from the Primarch, still keeping her body between her and the commons. Pulling her rifle, she began looking around, and snapped, "Garrus… anything?" She knew Garrus was scanning with his visor.

"Left top… glint."

Both re-arranged themselves, "I can't get a shot, damn it… I have to move."

"DAMN IT SHEPARD!" Garrus started, but Lia had already thrown herself over the table and ran, zig zag pattern to another table. Another shot, then two more, before Lia managed to knock that table over and get behind it. She heard Garrus voice in her ear, "They're not shooting at the Primarch, Shepard…."

Shepard frowned, aiming her rifle at the man on the roof with the glint coming off his scope, "Come again?"

"They're shooting at you, Shepard… when you moved, all the shots went for you…."

Putting that aside for now, Shepard asked, "Garrus, do you have a shot?"

"No… not without putting civilians in danger…." Over Garrus' ear piece, as well as through the courtyard, she heard the Primarch's voice,

"WILL YOU MOVE…? I'm a soldier dammit… I'm fully capable of defending myself…."

Garrus' voice again, sounding aggrieved, "Damn it, SIT on him if you have to, just keep him down!"

Watching the place where the shots came from, she saw a form leap up and start to move, "On the move!" she lept over the make shift cover and rushed through the commons, chasing the shooter. A split second later, she heard Garrus, and snapped, "NO. Stay with the Primarch, Garrus…."

"I'm not leaving you to face that bastard alone, Shepar…"

"THAT'S AN ORDER, VAKARIAN!"

There was utter silence over the comm, but no sound of running turian feet behind her told her that Garrus had obeyed. She knew she'd upset her mate, and worse, she'd upset her best friend and the soldier who always had her six. Softening her voice, she said "Get him to the ship, Garrus… then get back here…."

"Affirmative," Garrus voice was cool, and Shepard knew he was pissed, but she had to concentrate on the shooter, so she put Garrus upset pride off. She ran up the stairs and through the building, a C-Sec officer tried to stop her, but she didn't have time, so she just cold cocked him with the butt of her rifle.

She came out of the building and saw a form dressed in all black, carrying a rifle jump down a set of stairs and start running. Putting on a burst of speed, she came within a hairs breadth of grabbing him, when a hover car appeared, the door opened and three men opened fire. Shepard glanced to the side and saw a tiny little ledge that would provide a bit of cover and dove for it, just as her shield went out and she felt the impact of a shot.

She raised her rifle and returned fire, managing to see that the two of the men in the car were human, and the original shooter was turian. The third man in the car was in the shadows and all she could see was the rifle he fired; a Cain. She knew that if he fired that at her, the little cover she'd flung herself behind wasn't going to be enough. At that thought, she saw the flash from the Cain's muzzle and had time to think,

'Fuck me… this is gonna hurt… and Garrus is going to KILL me…'before the projectile took out her cover, her regenerated shield and her lights.

END

You know, cliffys are kinda fun…for ME! LMAO