"Are you ready, Commander?"

Shepard stood stoically behind Joker's chair in the cockpit of the Normandy. He nodded to his pilot, the man opening a channel to the rest of the ship.

"Normandy, this is Commander Shepard. As you have probably heard, Admiral Kahoku's body was discovered late last night on Nevos." Shepard felt the eyes of those at the CIC looking towards him and Joker. "Clearly this has caught the Alliance with it's guard down. There will be a full investigation and if needed, we will do our part to assist wherever's possible. Admiral Kahoku turned to us for assistance. We will do all that we can to bring the truth to light."

Until I bury it further and further of course. Shepard closed his eyes. "We have received new orders from the Council. A specialist team has relayed a message from the planet Virmire. While the details are not clear, they did include information about Saren and potentially his presence on the planet. Clearly this is something we can not ignore. If Saren is planet side, we will apprehend him and bring him to justice. Shepard out."

Joker closed the coms and looked up to the Commander. "What do you think, Commander? Do you think he's actually on Virmire?"

Shepard stared forward. "I don't know, Joker. But I know we have to find out." He looked at the pilot. "Lets go hunt that bastard down."

Shepard looked up from his desk at the knock on his door. "Come in." Lowering the datapad, he watched the doors opened to reveal Garrus. "Hey Garrus. Something I do for you?"

The Turian looked a little nervous as the doors closed behind him. "Are you busy, Shepard?"

Shepard shook his head. "I should be - well behind on paperwork. But if you're here to help me avoid that, please, most definitely take a seat." Shepard grinned, but it faded as Garrus did not join in with the joke. "What's up?"

Garrus took a seat and sat rigidly. "Recently you've been very open with me in our conversations. It is something I haven't experienced greatly in the past. It is not Turian nature after all."

"I apologize if-"

The Turian held up his hand. "You have nothing to apologize for, Shepard. I have enjoyed our conversations. It is because of those that I am here today. As I said, you've been very honest with me about many events that have transpired in your life. You have offered me friendship, when I simply do not deserve it.

Shepard could tell Garrus was being weighed down by whatever he was trying to say. "That's not true, Garrus."

"I'm afraid it is. And I'm afraid that if I reveal what I have to say, that friendship will be rescinded. You may even have me removed from the Normandy. That is not something I wish to happen on both accounts."

Shepard leaned forward on the desk. "Garrus. Have you murdered one of my crew?"

The Turian blinked, surprised. "No."

"Are you one of Saren's agents? Wait, no. Are you Saren in disguise?" Shepard paused. "I kid of course. But unless you've done any of those things, there's no chance of you going anywhere. Simply put - you're stuck here. So whatever you think it is that you've done, trust me, you're probably thinking more of it."

Garrus bowed his head slightly. "I thank you for that, Shepard. But still, I have crossed a line that I simply shouldn't have. You are my Commander and I went behind your back. I.." Garrus paused as he composed his words. "On Feros. I suspected more of a connection between you and Felicity Blake. My suspicions were aroused by her. She seemed like something more. Her biotic skill was off the charts. And when everything went to hell and we were trapped under that rubble, she wanted me to record a message from her to you. She even called you John." Garrus sighed. "I investigated her upon returning to the Normandy." Garrus shook his head. "Nothing suspicious came up regarding her. I followed a path, a path behind your back, for nothing. I am ashamed and I am sorry, Commander. For not trusting your judgement, for not believing in your integrity. I have kept this information from you for too long. I understand if you wish to leave me behind."

Garrus hadn't mentioned Ashley's name. The Turian intended to keep it that way. It was his fault the soldier was mixed up in this mess. And despite her getting carried away by herself, she didn't deserve to loose her career over this. Not if Garrus could help it.

This was Garrus' crime, his guilt.

Shepard was silent as he took in the information. He wasn't shocked by it, it did not set off any alarm bells or even upset him in anyway. He could see why Garrus was being crushed under the weight of this information. Garrus was an honorable, respectable Turian. Not only that, he was Shepard's friend.

And that's why he'll accept this.

Hopefully.

"This information has clearly been weighing on you for a long time. I hope this helps ease that burden." Shepard took a breath. "You were right to look into her, Garrus."

That took Garrus aback. "I...I'm sorry, Shepard? Did you just-"

Shepard nodded. "Your suspicions were accurate. She is more than what she portrayed to be. Her name isn't Felicity Blake. She is not a reporter for HISNO News. Her name is Miranda Lawson. We have been together for quite some time, well over a year."

Garrus' eyes widened. "That's.. " A million thoughts ran through the Turian's mind. The obvious questions seemed a good place to start. "But why the deception? Why the false stories?"

"It's simple, Garrus. She is with.. a different party, an alternative Human organisation to that of the Alliance. One which wouldn't be approved of, if the truth came to light."

Shepard could see the cogs turning in Garrus' head before finally it clicked. "Is it that Cerberus you mentioned when the message from Admiral Ka-" Garrus stopped immediately, his eyes locked with Shepard. "Kahoku. The same Admiral Kahoku that was discovered on Nevos. Did she, they-"

"I don't know, Garrus. But I believe that Miranda had nothing to do with that. As for Cerberus as a whole? I cannot answer that question with any certainty."

Garrus finally broke eye contact and looked down at the desk. "Spirits. She is part of a rogue organisation. If this information was released to the public, about you and this Miranda?"

"It's fair to say I would be done." Shepard sighed. "I know that I've put you in a position here, Garrus. I understand that if you need to do something about it, I will not stand in your way."

"Even if I did, I wouldn't." The Turian looked up. "I know you, Shepard. I know you wouldn't do anything rash, like you wouldn't share this information lightly. This Miranda. You love her?"

"Until the end of the world." Which may come sooner rather than later.

"Spirits. I thought you were under a world of stress before, now?" Garrus shook his head. "You've needed this, correct? Someone to talk to, someone to confide in. Nobody else knows, do they?"

"You are the only one, Garrus."

Garrus slightly bowed his head. "Your trust in me is something I don't take for granted, Shepard. If I can help you in any way, I will assist as best I can."

"So does this mean you won't leave me behind either?"

"Never, John. It may take some time for me to fully accept what you have told me. But I assure you, this changes very little. Our mission remains the same. Our friendship does too."

It was the first time Shepard had heard Garrus use his given name in such a way. It reassured him that he had made the correct decision. It was true, he needed someone in his life that while maybe they wouldn't completely understand, they'd be there to listen. For a short minute he hoped that maybe Jenson, or Tyrone, would potentially be that answer. It was stupid to think that way. After all, he was Cerberus too. And he couldn't even turn up for the meeting he promised to make.

I'm not sure Miranda will appreciate this reveal in quite the same way, however.

"I imagine you have more questions."

Garrus nodded. "I do. But they can wait for another time. Except one." He locked eyes with Shepard once more. "You are completely sure this is the right decision?"

"I am."

"Then I have no more doubts, Shepard. I imagine you have things to do before we arrive at Virmire. I will leave you."

Garrus stood and offered his hand. Shepard rose from his chair and met the outstretched arm. "Thank you, Garrus. For everything."

You don't know how much this means.

An hour had passed since Garrus had left Shepard's office on the Normandy.

I know he can handle this. I know it was a risk but.. it was a risk worth taking. I hope. It's the only way I can get through this.

Shepard never planned to tell Garrus the truth, it wasn't something he was building up to. Likewise, it wasn't something that was simply blurted out. It was natural. It felt right. And seemingly, it was the right call to make.

After all - I might need a best man one day. He might have to marry us, too. It'll sure be a small party, that's for sure. Shepard grinned at the thought of Garrus attempting to become a minister.

Minutes later Shepard's attention was caught by an incoming call to his omni-tool. The caller ID was masked, something which was incredibly unusual.

"Hello?" Shepard answered tentatively.

"Ah, Commander Shepard. It is an honor." A perky voice male replied. "I hope I'm not disturbing you at this time, I know how busy you must be."

Shepard had no time for games. "Who is this?"

"I represent the Shadow Broker. I assume you have heard of them?"

"I have. What do you want?" Shepard suddenly felt very wary.

The voice returned. "The Broker has a proposal for you, Commander."

Shepard's voice was firm. "I'm not interested. Tell whoever it is I-" A ding from his omni-tool paused the man's reply.

"Ah yes, that'll be something you need to see. Please, open the footage that I have delivered. I'll wait on the line until you're done."

The video in question was clearly stolen security footage. Shepard immediately recognized the facility in question. Admiral Kahoku lay strapped to a bed surrounded by three Human's, each proudly displaying Cerberus' emblem on their lab coats. Out of nowhere, a siren began to wail.

"What's going on?" One of the Humans yelled as they desperately looked around as a voice emerged from a PA speaker.

"All Cerberus personal, code R98XKB. I repeat. Code R98XKB."

"Shit! Morgan, we've got to clear this! Get him out of here. I'll handle the lab."

The footage cut out.

"There's more where that came from, but I thought you'd like to see a taste. Would you like to know what code R98XKB is, Commander? Why it's you of course. Are you surprised that Cerberus have a code name for you? I imagine you're not given your affection towards one of their high ranking agents."

Shepard's mouth was dry as he tried to speak. You can't prove anything. "Bullshit I'm ending thi-."

"Don't play games, Commander." The voice interrupted him. "Granted you handle things remarkably well, but nobody's perfect. There are always loose threads that in turn reveal a whole lot more holes when pulled." Shepard could imagine the grin on the other end of the line. It sent a shiver up his back. "Commander? Are you still there? Because this is the part where you ask me what I want."

So Garrus knows - but he didn't tell Shepard about Ashley. Lets hope that Kaidan's words rang true with her. Garrus is, and will always be to me, Shepard's ultimate bro. He's going to continue to be a big part going forward. It's a lot of trust he's put in him after all. If anyone read my previous story, An Act Of Defiance, you might recall Garrus decking Shepard when he found out about his interactions with Miranda and Cerberus. Of course, this time around, Cerberus is a lot more in the shadows (thanks to Shepard after all). But what happens if things they've done come to light? How far will Garrus' loyalty stretch?

And hello to the Shadow Broker - when everything seemed to be more positive for Shepard too. There's no such thing as secrecy in this Galaxy, Shepard. Not when the Broker wants something.

Up next, Shepard finds out what the Broker is after. Garrus starts to deal with everything he's learnt and has a chat with Kaidan while Ashley checks in with Liara as the Normandy heads for Virmire.

And I'm sure Miranda will be all smiles when Shepard tells her about Garrus! Paging Dr. Chakwas...

Oh yeah! I referenced my favorite comic series in here - anyone spot it?