A light flashed in the dark bedroom early in the morning. His omni-tool's vibration woke him and he sent the call to voice-mail in order to not wake Thalassa.
She had eventually fallen asleep sometime in the night while she lay against his bare chest. He worried that her condition was worsening because of recent events.
He watched her sleeping face- peaceful, relaxed, and soft. Her mouth hung open slightly and a small puddle of drool was pooling on him. He tried not to chuckle at the sight.
Garrus shifted carefully to slide out from under her. She stirred because of the movement, but curled up comfortably in his leftover warmth.
He checked his messages and found a few from Victus. Garrus had figured something was up. So, he got ready and left the Jullianus.
Despite their disagreement, Garrus went to work on four hours of sleep. He'd gotten by on less before, so it wouldn't inhibit his efficiency.
It was the persistent thoughts of Shepard and her words that haunted him. Usually he didn't have a problem setting personal matters aside while working, but this day was going to be brutal.
The primarch's investigation had sprung a lead. Their initial search of the destruction near the primarch's office found that the bomb had been placed in the area next to the primarch's office. It appeared that someone had managed to place the bomb among electrical cables, which meant the perpetrator had access to electrical systems. Interviews of witnesses were underway.
Garrus had caught wind that they planned to interview him and Shepard in the near future. Garrus thought it was a waste of time; however, protocol required it. This investigation was going to take years to find and incriminate anyone at this rate.
They already had evidence that could tie the gang, Diatre, to the bomb. Similar materials and methods were used in preparing the bomb as in previous incidents that the gang was implicated.
Before Garrus knew it- a day of investigation ended, and the evening came. The darkness, however, became drowned out by the latest set of newly installed street lights a few stories below. Palaven was slowly coming back to life.
"How did she take it?"
"Not well."
Garrus typed away at a terminal in a secure location. The primarch had to lay low for a while to ensure his safety. Garrus wished there was a safer place for Shepard to be as well. He had some ideas. Anyone could be an alias to this gang by now. He couldn't trust anyone on the Jullianus besides Dr. Chakwas.
The whole situation put him on edge.
"I'm sorry. I did what I could to convince the Assembly, and I couldn't go against them on this one-"
"With all due respect, sir."
Garrus stopped typing and gave Victus a furious glance. His mandibles strained against his face in disbelief.
"You could have turned a blind eye. Shepard has done a lot for you and Palaven, and this is how you thank her? Whatever happened to honor, or getting the job done- regardless of beurucratic regulations?"
"Things are different now, Vakarian. We're trying to rebuild what we lost to the reapers. The last thing anyone should want to do is cause division among us. Didn't she seek peace and unity for us all?"
Garrus shook his head, uploading the final progress report to the Assembly's systems.
"Not like this."
He got up from his seat and gave a nod toward Victus before he left the room.
"Good night, primarch."
The trip back to the Jullianus was long. He just wanted to make sure Shepard was okay. He pulled up his messages on his omni-tool and noticed that she had not replied to him all day. This happened occasionally by accident, but this seemed to be the worst time for delayed responses given everything that's going on.
Garrus tried not to get worked up- it's possible that she was hanging out with Chakwas and got busy.
He was dropped off at docking and made his way to the ship. Everything seemed relatively normal to him.
The ship was quiet.
It reminded him of the absence of the Normandy crew when they were abducted by the collectors. It was an eerie silence that put him on edge.
Garrus took out his sidearm and began to head toward the elevator.
The slow lurch of the elevator was excruciating. The closer it inched toward the crew deck the louder the boisterous sounds became.
At this point- Garrus thought he was prepared for anything, but he was sadly mistaken.