Chapter 38.5

As she walked into the room, Tali got the distinct sense that she was invading. But that was just because she was always too cautious, worried that she violated some code. Surely Garrus would welcome her company.

The brief flash of irritation on his face when he noticed he had a visitor told her she was dead wrong. His face morphed into a more neutral expression when Garrus realized it was her, but it was obvious he didn't want anyone here.

"What can I do for you, Tali?" he asked as he continued his work on the console, his back to her.

She walked to his side so he couldn't ignore her. "Nothing. I just wanted to talk."

"Can it wait? I'm in the middle of some-"

"Calibrations?" she guessed. Tali put a hand on his, ceasing its rapid movements. "I think the guns are the best working component of this ship besides engineering." She was, after all, very good at her job. "You deserve a break."

It was good Tali was an engineer and not a spy or thief. Subterfuge was not her forte. "I know what you're doing, Tali. I appreciate the thought, but I'm fine."

She let go of his hand and pushed some of the random parts littering his desk back and jumped up to sit on it. "Then I'll just sit here and hang out with my favorite turian."

Garrus gave her a withering glance. "I don't want you here."

"Too bad."

"Tali," he warned.

"Garrus," she countered.

Why was she being so obtuse? Why wouldn't she just leave him alone?

"Shepard told me what happened on the Citadel."

"Of course he did. Then you can understand why I really don't want to talk to anyone right now."

She nodded. "I do. Doesn't mean I'm going to leave you alone though."

Garrus slammed his hands down on the desk, causing Tali to jump. "Damn it, Tali! Why are you being so stubborn?"

"Look who's talking!" she yelled back. "You've been brooding about Sidonis and your revenge since I've been onboard, and I'm pretty sure it was only worse before I go here. Now, it's over. Now, you have to talk."

He glared at her. "Talk about what?"

"Anything. I don't care. Talk about how you're feeling now that it's over. Talk about how you wish you killed Sidonis. Talk about how you're happy you didn't kill Sidonis. Talk about your squad. Keelah, talk about Omega. Just talk about something. I'm not leaving until you do."

Garrus continued to glare at her. She just met his gaze, almost innocently. There was that confidence he admired, even now when it was forcing him to do something he adamantly didn't want to. It was that moment he knew she would get her wish.

"Omega was a shithole," he said without prompting.

She tilted her head in a smug smile. "Was a shithole?"

Somehow the obscenity sounded oddly comforting coming from her. He didn't know why that was or how it could be. He didn't care much to question it either.

"Is a shithole," Garrus corrected. "But my squad… they made it bearable. I remember this one time, Monteague had too much, what did he call it?" He took a moment to think. "Whiskey. He had too much whiskey, an alcoholic drink made on Earth. He loved the stuff especially this one brand. He would pay ridiculous amounts to get a bottle. Anyway, he drank too much and challenged Grundan Krul, a krogan, to a head-butting competition. A human challenged a krogan to head-butt each other until one says stop.

"Grundan won, of course. Monteague rammed his head into the krogan's crest once. Broke his nose in two places. Had black eyes for nearly a month." Garrus laughed at the memory. It felt good to laugh. It felt really good.

Tali laughed with him. "That would be a sight to see. Tell me more."

So he did. Garrus told her stories for two hours. Some were funny, other's triumphant, and others he had completely forgotten about until now. He even told her a few he swore he would never speak of again. Talking about his squad brought them back to life though it was only for a moment.

There was a particularly spirited laughing fit stemming from a story about Ripper and Weaver getting into a fight over an asari only to have the solemn batarian Erash walk away with an arm wrapped around her. After, a pregnant silence filled the room.

Tali put a hand on his arm. "You miss them."

He was too far gone to hide it. "Every day. They were my family."

She did something unexpected then. Tali pulled him into a hug. One hand found its way to the soft spot on the back of his head, just under his fringe. The other wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer.

Garrus didn't resist. In fact, he pulled her in as well. He welcomed the comfort.

"Thank you for not walking out," he said as he reluctantly let go. "You and Shepard were right. I needed this."

She feigned a look of hurt. "You think Shepard put me up to this? He told me to leave you alone. This was my idea."

Garrus smiled at her. "Then I'm even more thankful to you." He touched his temple to the side of her helmet, the quarian equivalent of a kiss on the cheek. "You're remarkable, Tali'Zorah vas Neema."

Tali smiled back. "Thank you for remarking on it."


Author's Note:

Three chapters in one day? Is this Christmas? Naw. Just me trying to make up for my absence. The third chapter is the new Chapter 31. The other inserted chapters are 15, 19, 23, 25, 34, 44, 46, and 48.