"You're just full of surprises aren't you, big guy?"
Shepard quipped- her hands working to slip on a black undersuit.
"You know me. Have to keep things interesting." He was patiently watching her, and soon he moved to help her start clasping on pieces of armor.
"Did you eat the dinner that I left you?" He asked, his gaze remaining downward as he outfitted her calves.
She muttered something in 'French' that he could barely register.
"I guess I missed the memo."
He didn't conceal his disappointment with her in his grumbling.
"Shepard, you need to be eating."
He moved up her legs and snapped her thigh pieces in place.
The silence said more than her words could. He was unsure of how to fill the void without upsetting the balance between them.
They finished her suit in a short time, and Garrus held her hands. A flashback of their last words to each other flickered in his mind. That horrible final stretch to the catalyst was a nightmare that would stick with him forever.
"Thalassa, I love you. I know it's been a rough ride, but you still have to take care of yourself. I can only do so much for you. And it worries me that you tend to put yourself on the back burner."
His tone dropped to a low rumble- a purr that vibrated in her own chest. "I'm sorry. I don't have an excuse. I think I've lost some of my luster along the way, Garrus." She admitted and gave his hands a squeeze which seemed to draw him near.
"What do you mean?"
She pulled her hands away to adjust her gloves.
"I guess I'm beginning to realize the toll the war took on me. I'm damaged goods."
She laughed softly in an attempt to relieve the tension. "I mean- I was always damaged, but I could mask it before; now it's... extensive. I can't hide it anymore."
There was a pause before he stepped behind her to gather up her dark hair into a neat bun just as she had taught him.
"We both know that war isn't forgiving. And some come out of it more scarred than others- you and I have that in common." She smiled sheepishly and stayed still to let him finish.
"-But the wounds that cut the deepest and leave the worst scars are ones that can't be seen. I know because I deal with it too- we can get through it together. So, don't be convinced that you're alone in this."
His words melted into her being like honey- soothing and sweet. She couldn't find anything to say, but as she turned back to look at him, she pressed a kiss to his lips. A moment of clarity made everything reflect like crystal. All the pressure she placed onto herself was suddenly sloughed off like an old skin.
"You always know just what to say." He shrugged and briefly pulled her against him with a clatter of armor. He took in her youthful yet mature facial features. Her small pointed nose, her cream colored skin, her green eyes filled with a purposeful gaze that batted at him through long black lashes. Despite her being scarred, she was still a heck of a knockout. "Hmm- you think I'm getting a little better at this..."
"I do."
"Well, I'll still have to practice more later. Let's not keep Victus waiting."
Palaven had a glistening skyline. The cold highrises bathed in the hues of a warm pink and orange sunset. Despite the planet's dangerous radiation levels for humans- it had a fresh spell of beauty that Shepard admired.
Dr. Chakwas had required a lot of convincing to let Shepard even leave the ship. So, by the time they reached the primarch's office, the sun was just barely spilling over the horizon and darkness would soon abide in the relinquished territory.
They had passed through security to access the higher ranking offices. It had taken a while to input Shepard's information. Her "retirement" was already in affect according to the Alliance's systems. The officer at the desk cleared them and let them proceed. People bustled in the offices and Shepard was on guard. Feeling her tension, Garrus naturally moved closer to her and every so often placed his hand at her lower back as an instinctual gesture of protection.
On her right side- a Turian collided against her and apologized briefly before continuing on. It was busy, but not enough to be bumping shoulders with anyone. Garrus didn't look happy about it, so Shepard had to remind him to stay focused. There was a knot in her gut giving her ten reasons why she didn't feel right.
They were admitted to Victus' office and he greeted them professionally, but after the attendant left he relaxed. "I did not expect you to survive, Commander. Although, I am not surprised that you're alive given your reputation for going KIA and returning to the world of the living."
She raised a hand and shrugged. "I'm no longer in the Alliance- so, Shepard is fine."
"Well, it is damn good to see you, Shepard." His attention shifted and his demeamor turned grim.
"Vakarian, I'm sure you read my report, but we are in need of someone to help secure High Command."
"Yes, sir."
The primarch's voice lowered.
"Shepard, you aren't military anymore- and you certainly have no clearance to be here to hear about this... but I trust you."
The woman nodded with a piercing gaze. "Your trust is not misplaced, primarch."
With a nod, Victus turned his gaze back to Garrus. "We've had a number of disturbances at multiple command stations. Someone has been stealing information about our outposts and sending them to a terrorist group that we have labeled Diatrie. We have little intel on them because our efforts have been focused on rebuilding Palaven. But we need to know why they are operating like this- who they are sending classified information to and why."
"Sir, if someone is leaking intel- you have people on the inside who are dirty."
"I'm aware. We need someone who can be trusted working on this and that someone is you, Vakarian."
"Sir, given my track record in C-Sec and beyond. Are you sure about this? I'm not at all a detective anymore."
"No. You're a soldier."
Victus stood from his desk and continued.
"When you were at C-Sec you were right about Saren. You were a Spectre candidate. Not only that, but your experience with criminal activities on Omega practically certifies you for this job. I suppose I don't need to mention your past with Shepard."
Garrus nodded in acceptance- not completely voicing his opinion at this point.
"Alright then, I'll brief you tomorrow with the-"
A loud sound came from afar. It transferred into the walls as a shuddering sensation. His instinct told him to grab Shepard, but it was too late. Everything shook around them and before Garrus could react, an explosion flung him against the nearest wall.