Title: Date

Pairing: F!Shepard x Garrus, (implied)

Warnings: Just Garrus being awkward (nothing new, just some adorable cringe)

Summary: Garrus wants to give Shepard the surprise of a lifetime, but needs some help to make it happen.

A/N: The idea was inspired by a long held head canon of mine, which evolved thanks to the comments section conversation YouTube.

Word Count: 908

Spirits, he was nervous. Nervous but determined, which is what lead him to the cargo bay after she had retired to her cabin for the cycle. He declined to join her, citing calibrations, which was met with an annoyed sigh. It seemed like a long shot, but of anyone could help him, he was the one.

"Vega, got a minute?" Garrus asked, pulling the human's focus from his workbench.

"Sure, Scars." He wiped his hands with a rag, which he stuck in his back pocket. "I'm surprised to see you out of the battery. What can I do for you?"

"Well, the thing is..." He paused, unsure of how to start. "I want to do something special for Shepard but I need your help to make it happen."

Vega's brows pulled together in a mix of confusion and worry as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Uhh, what kind of help are we talking here? You aren't looking for a donor or something, are you?"

It took Garrus a moment to take James' meaning and he became flustered. "Wha-no, no, no. Nothing like that. Shepard and I never had a proper first date. I have an idea, but can't execute it yet and I think you're the one who can help me."

"Ooookay, you need a little help from the romance master. Well, James Vega is at your service." He crooned. "What do you in mind?"

"I...I want to take Shepard dancing."

His brows shot up to his forehead. "Dancing? You know Shepard can't dance, right?"

"I think she has it in her, she just needs the right partner. I want to learn. Can you help me?"

Vega thought for a moment. It certainly seemed possible, and he did love a good challenge. Plus, helping his friend romance his girlfriend would be a nice distraction from the war. "Sure thing, Garrus. I'd be happy to help."

The two practiced a few hours a night for a week. Unfortunately, it was getting difficult to keep it a secret from Shepard, as she continued to seek his company during their off hours and Garrus was having more difficulty learning. Somehow he was always stumbling into Vega's foot or moving the wrong way. He was quickly getting frustrated.

"Hey Scars, your ready?" James asked as Garrus exited the lift.

"Actually, I think I'm going to think of something else for Shepard. I'm just not picking it up the way I thought I would."

"That's because you're both trying to lead." Cortez chimed in from behind the shuttle.

Both men turned abruptly as the pilot finished his maintenance and emerged.

"Estaban, I thought you racked for the night." Vega called.

"Had some work to finish and thought you might want lessons from someone who actually knows how to dance." He replied with a playful dig.

"How long have you known?" Garrus asked, his mandibles shifting nervously.

"I saw you guys from the engineering observation deck the second night. I wanted to give Mr. Vega the benefit of the doubt that he knew what he was doing, but it's been pretty painful to watch."

"Hey now, I'm a good dancer." He defended, his pride bruised.

"Didn't say you weren't, but teaching is different. What do you say, Garrus? What to give it another try?"

"What have I got to lose other than my dignity." He sighed.

"That's the spirit." Cortez smiled and went to work. "She's going to love this. James, you're going to be Shepard. Let Garrus lead."

With some awkwardly placed hands and a little trepidation, Cortez guided him through the basics. By the end of the night he was gaining confidence and by the end of the next night, he was improvising. His stumbling, stuttered steps disappeared and were replaced with confident strides. His stiff spine and hips relaxed and swayed with the music. Just when he thought he was ready, Cortez made a suggestion.

"If you really want to sweep her off her feet," He said one night readying the music with his Omni-Tool. "I suggest you learn to tango."

The three gathered around a datapad and watched the complex dance. Garrus wasn't sure he could pull it off, but both Vega and Cortez bolstered his resolve. Despite the turian's concerns, they went to work and within the week, he was ready.

The date was set. He was going to meet Shepard at the Silver Coast Casino. She suggested he pick her up at the bar, as though they were just meeting all over again, but in a social setting not a firefight in a medical clinic. Vega would be there in the background to make sure the right music played at the right time.

Garrus dressed in his best civilian clothes and tries to ignore the nervousness in his stomach. He mentally walked himself through the steps as he rode in the sky car with Vega. His friend gave him one last boost of confidence before he walked through the doors by reassuring him if two humans can teach a turian to dance, he can make a dancer out of Shepard.

He ascended the stairs and scanned the crowd. When he spotted her, he fell in love all over again. She was a vision, waiting patiently for him to arrive as she waved away a well dressed man offering to buy her a drink. With a final deep breath, he approached her.

Show time.