Survival of the fittest chapter 15

Earth.

Jane was immediately escorted away and put under 24-hour watch from a lieutenant Vega, communications were restricted, and she was confined to the use of a detention apartment apart from the occasional monitored walk.

Aki was subjected to numerous interrogations; statements were given but other than that the alliance was more than willing to leave her to her own devices keeping her busy with the training of new recruits.

Aki enjoyed being busy… enjoyed the rush of constant high intensity training, it kept her mind busy and her focus sharp.

she had trained for months with Thane, every day they sparred, she had felt that with each session her strength and precision was being honed, he was a fantastic teacher and learned her a lot of useful tricks.

she would miss Thane, she would miss them all... she tried not to think about Garrus, the pit in her stomach ached at the mention of his name.

Garrus spent a few days on the citadel.

Aki had given him access to her apartment which was a nice change to the cheap hotel he would've usually stayed in with his vigilante's salary.

Garrus sat on the living room couch and looked around the room, their first night together was spent here and many more after that every shore leave was spent sprawling on the shaggy rug that he looked down at.

The apartment seemed empty now without Aki humming in some far off corner, come back to me fast, he shook his head banishing the thoughts that wanted to come thick and fast… the thoughts of bodies intertwining, the chugging of whiskey as they watched old films, he felt a wave of sadness wash over him.

He'd slept in the bed that they'd shared, her scent on the sheets it was unbearable... without her he found it difficult to sleep, the nightmare's were too intense.

He'd booked a ticket for the return to Palaven, it was time to return home, his sister had requested his presence… something to do with a change in his mother's illness and now more than ever did he want to be around something other than memories.

"Solana" Garrus beamed as he entered into the hospital room, "you didn't tell me the treatment centre had changed- I had to find out from-"

"ahh!" she gasped "I forgot!" she looked different, she had matured a lot in the time he'd been away, still barefaced though… at least he wasn't the only child to disappoint his father…

Solana saw the lingering gaze and frowned "the bonding-"

"you don't have to explain" Garrus cut her off, Turian's bonded for life, it was good that Solana had waited. Garrus cleared his throat, looking around the place was huge… hi-tech "thought this place was-"

"it was full Garrus!" she laughed excited, "it's a miracle, we got a call one day from the administration saying a trial therapy had opened and mom was an ideal candidate, all fees paid for"

"trial?" Garrus frowned, "is it safe?" he shook his head once, looking around the room staring intently at the bed empty "where's mom?"

"tests, she'll be back in a bit" Solana reassured him to the worry that crossed his face.

"okay" Garrus placed his bags down and nodded, "I'll be back, I'm going to find out more about the trial"

"you shouldn't worry Garrus, mom's stronger every day"

Garrus headed over to the administration rooms to inquire about the process in which his mother would be undergoing, after a long and lengthy argument Garrus found out that benefactor by the name of Anna Pilos was actually paying for the treatment and since she paid in full they centre didn't have any other details, she had however asked for it to be put under a trail as a guise for the family.

He didn't argue further simply returned to his mother's room with more questions than answers.

"Ah! Garrus!" the older Turian jumped out of the bed stumbling in the process, Garrus steadied her helping her back into the bed where she immediately nuzzled her oldest child, "it's been so long Garrus, we heard the reports, Commander Shepard's been detained"

"yes, it's been a… hard service" he sighed, for more than one reason.

They spent the night laughing and talking to the early hours, Sera and Solana telling him everything that he had missed in his years being away, he'd missed a lot Solana had graduated top of her class as always and had more marriage offers than she could turn down, her father was proud of this yet her indecision annoyed him when it came to settling down.

"so? when are you going to settle down Garrus and give me my first grandchild?" Sera teased

Garrus laughed nervously, that could be hard "plenty of time for that"

Sera looked at him with a furrowed brow, "what was that laugh?"

Solana smirked, "you mean the incredibly nervous chuckle?" she pressed playfully

Garrus's mandibles clicked audibly, "lay off me Solana" he cleared his throat, "it was just a laugh"

"hmm…" Sera smiled shaking her head softly, he never could lie to her, "whoever she is, I'm sure she's spectacular"

Garrus looked away, "she is"

"so, there is someone?!" Solana shouted, "since when?"

"a while now" he stated with a frown

"what's she like? Do we know her family?" his sister questioned

Ahh of course she'd immediately think Turian, Garrus smiled looking to his mom trying to ignore the question, "anyway- where's dad?"

"he always stays overnight; he'll be here soon" Solana stated

"fun" he replied dryly

"your dads mellowed lately, give him a chance, it's just his way" Sera soothed.

"gave up on gallivanting without your commander?" Castis Vakarian barked as he entered the room.

Garrus sighed, "I came to see mom now that I'm free"

"running around with no stable job, no bond mate… living like an adolescent" he shook his head crossing over to Sera's bed, he bowed nuzzling her forehead, "even your sister-"

"it's nice to see you dad" Garrus smiled standing to shake his hand, "let's stop this, I have enough on my mind"

He grunted "we will talk about your life Garrus- or lack of- at a later time then"

he spent a few nights at the hospital, it was nice being around his mother and seeing her progress, she looked healthier, everyday she was stronger on her feet and more alert, she was very much like how she used to be... the crippling tiredness a thing of the past.

"let's go Garrus" Garrus looked up from the data-pad he was scanning and frowned at the elder Turian who stood at the door to the hospital bay.

"where?"

Sera looked to Garrus and frowned narrowing her eyes in a 'go now' expression, Garrus nodded and stood up.

They exited the hospital in silence, hailed a cab and ended up in a bar within town, they took a seat a waitress taking their order of a bottle of whiskey, "so son- there's clearly more than the news would have us know, and you seem troubled"

Garrus inhaled and started from the beginning, leaving nothing out, if there were connections then the ex-csec officer would not argue, he simply needed the tale… all of it.

Castis downed his drink and after only sitting silent for so long he finally spoke "I will take this to the Primarch"

Garrus was visibly stunned "you will?"

"if the council is refusing to see reason then someone should be prepared, I will take this to him, if a threat like this is looming then Palaven needs to be prepared"

Garrus was surprised, nobody believed them but here was is father, accepting the threat so openly.

"I'll be returning back home for business soon, join me, we should see him together"

"what about mom?"

"this facility has been spectacular, they're very happy with the treatment, another month or so and she can return home with regular check-ups"

Garrus thought for a moment before nodding "thank you"

"hm" Castis nodded

"what do you mean I can't use the comms?" Aki snapped

"during the course of the trial you are prohibited from making off planet communications" the comms terminal assistant stated

"listen lady! I need to contact-"

"I am unable to break protocol"

"I'm not under arrest here-"

"I'm sorry lieutenant colonel"

"oh! shove it" she snapped exasperated, she turned her head grinding her teeth, if that's the way you want to play it! Banned from seeing Jane now this…

Aki waited in her room until nightfall, she donned her old gear, flicked her cloaking device on and exited through the building, she ran through the courtyard and headed toward the other building using the ventilations pipes on the outer-walls as her playground, she climbed up, floor by floor before shimmying along the ledges slipping inside through an open window. She used the vents inside- many a times had she done this same thing- she pinpointed Janes room and dropped into her bathroom through the vent quickly scanning before slipping out hitting her cloak off. She walked to the desk and sat, waiting.

After an hour or so Jane entered in leaving Vega outside as always, they don't have to check the rooms, it's not mandatory and James had enough respect for her that he didn't feel the need to invade her space

Jane grinned running to her, "its so good to see you!"

"yeah, the feelings mutual"

Jane looked at Aki at the anger that etched into Aki's features and arched and eyebrow "what's wrong?"

"they banned me from outside comms"

"for the trial?" Jane nodded "yeah me too, can't even contact mom"

"its to be expected though"

"I know, I know" Aki sighed

"I miss the ship"

"me too"

These visits happened more frequently, if not Aki feared she would go insane. they drank together, laughed, reminisced. Vega often joined them in Jane's room, he was a good guy, understood that in times like this... they needed each other.