Shepard's emerald eyes remained locked onto his own. She had a way of utilizing a single gaze to elicit any information she was looking for; especially from him.

It wasn't manipulative- it was compassionate. She had a genuine desire to know what he was feeling and thinking. It made him all the more attracted to her.

"So, if the movie isn't bothering you- what is?"

A heavy momentary silence weighed between them before he caved.

"What if the IFF doesn't work? I know I shouldn't speculate or entertain the thought. But- I can't help it. Not when the people I love are in danger."

"I know it looks bleak. But we have to hope regardless..."

"You don't have to pretend with me- we both know that's a programmed answer, Shepard."

A sigh left her lips.

"Trust me- I have a lot of doubts myself. I look in the mirror every day and wonder if I'm really me. Or someone else. It's hard to believe that all of this was made by Cerberus and... it's not really me."

"You're you,Thalassa Anne. You've grown stronger because of what you've been through, but you're still the same woman I met on the presidium years ago."

A smile followed her quiet laugh. Her body angled away slightly, eyes drifting off.

"Thank you, Garrus."

His mandibles fluttered as their eyes locked again.This time a fire sparked in him and he didn't stop himself from wrapping an arm around her. He rolled her onto her back- assuming a position above her. His visor picked up the increase of her heart rate. Taking it as encouragement to continue, he rested his forehead against hers in a gesture of affection.

The glow of the aquarium illuminated the soft lines of her face. Her eyes continued to establish the fierce connection between them. The hum of the ship and their breathing were the only sounds in the room.

"I love you-"

Just as the words left the Turian's mouth- she initiated a kiss. A soft and tender kiss that affirmed a mutual commitment to each other.

It was a nightmare.

The horrifyingly realistic sequences within her subconsciousness had returned after a couple weeks of hiatus.

Maybe the stress was inducing them- nothing was clear. But she did know that sleep was elluding her. As much as she hated it, she couldn't stay in bed. The more insomnia engulfed her the more frustrated she became.

She could fight most physical and emotional threats, but she had no idea how to win against this unseen enemy. She and Garrus had a discussion about this- she wasn't to stay in bed like this even if she risked waking him.

Despite her efforts to not wake her mate as she left the bed, she wasn't quiet enough this time. Garrus was a highly sensitive sleeper.

Tying her hair up- she got dressed into joggers and a tank top. In addition to a black weighted vest to help get her blood pumping.

She ran laps in the cargo bay. Her mind was still running faster than she was. If only she could outrun it for once, maybe then she could sleep.

The events over the past couple of weeks were daunting. How could Victus throw her off the investigation? Given, she was never officially on it to begin with.

She understood that the primarch had overstepped the boundaries of a hierarchical official, but to go this far? After everything she had done?

Her pride was in the way. She could barely function because of the crucible blast, but her ego was fully intact and working on overdrive. She had lost sight of what was really important.

A swift blow reminded her of the Shadow Broker's dossiers. The infamous Broker had acknoledged that Garrus would not develop to his full leadership potential if Shepard was involved.

He had spent so much time loyally supporting her and her efforts over the years. The truth was painful and hard to swallow. Despite the things she wanted, there was no way she could, in good conscience, encourage Garrus to deny this job opportunity with the primarch.

It was time for Garrus to get some recognition- and Shepard would not get in the way this time.

She was on her 24th lap when her senses picked up another presence in the room. Her adrenaline kicked in, but she kept running her laps. Hypervigilant, she scanned the cargo bay carefully and noted a figure.

She knew who was watching her.

Thalassa kept going for another 15 minutes before she stopped to drink from her water bottle.

"Couldn't sleep?"

His subharmonics gave subtle hints of empathy.

"No."

"Same nightmare?"

"Different one."

"Reapers?"

"Maybe."

The hum of the ship filled the air.

"Garrus, I have been thinking about the investigation. I think you should continue on without me."

She knew Garrus may oppose her decision because he still wanted her here. Afterall- the whole reason he wanted her to come along was to be by his side.

He stared at her for a while and hummed.

"I prefer we work together. If we keep it low profile it shouldn't be a big deal."

"I'm not going to get you in trouble with your superiors, Garrus. Plus, I'm sure with your war hero status that you would have some place on-world that I could stay. Then we wouldn't have to live on this ship."

She tugged on the straps of the weighted vest.

"Or at least- I wouldn't have to."

Garrus' displeasure towards the whole situation resurfaced. Shepard wanted out. He almost had half a mind to tell the primarch that he was done with the assignment, but he knew he couldn't. The primarch was counting on him, and this was a matter of Turian security.

After considering her words while she stripped off the vest and prepared to leave the cargo hold, he sighed.

"Babe, I admire your willingness to step aside. But I can't let you leave."

Thalassa met his gaze.

"Why not? Garrus- you can do this on your own."

"If you aren't here with me I can't protect you. How do we know that the bomb wasn't placed there to kill you?"

"Maybe if I left we would find out who they're targetting."

"That is not helping."

"Sure it would!"

"That's not an option, Shepard. Drop it."

She scoffed with her signature shoulder shrug- tossing the vest over one shoulder.

"So, what? I'm on house arrest now?"

She walked away from him- toward the elevator to their quarters. Regardless of his qualms with her stubbornness, he followed.

The words of his father circulated in his mind. Castis could have contacted Shepard and convinced her to leave him. His father was notorious for interfering. But if that had happened she would have told him about it.

There was no chance that all of this could have been a mistake.