Survival of the fittest chapter 15
Earth.
Jane was immediately escorted and put under 24-hour watch in the form of a lieutenant Vega, her communications were restricted, and she was confined to the use of a detention apartment, apart from the occasional monitored walk and gym usage.
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 thanks to him she had gained new tricks and tactics.
she would miss Thane, she would miss them all... she tried not to think about Garrus, the pit in her stomach ached at the thought 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.
He 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, usually watching, laughing or fucking.
He had noticed that amongst the frames he so loved, now he and her sat pride of place on the shelf, a photo took together in the presidium which melted his heart each time he look at it, smiling into the camera with the woman who he adored.
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 and the chugging of whiskey as they watched old films, he felt a wave of sadness wash over him he'd never felt like this before, that attachment in a relationship… hell Turian's didn't do relationships, they did fun and then bonding- he frowned maybe that's what this was the ache for his bond-mate.
it was never dating or semi-casual ever, he'd never told a woman that he loved them because that's just not what turian do especially non-bonded, but he had... he'd told it to Aki on numerous occasions and when they would meet again he'd ask her. he'd ask her about the bond.
He had slept in the bed that they had shared, her scent on the sheets. It was unbearable... without her he found it difficult to sleep, their routine broken and when he awoke to drape his arm over the small warm body that would have lay beside him the ache returned as his plates met with emptiness, it felt like loosing an arm. that phantom pain.
He'd booked a ticket for his 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 these memories.
He'd messaged her with no luck of a reply and was prepared for the usual comm ban but still he would try. He would pour his thought out into messages for her for as long as it took to see her again.
he had packed and bid his farewells to the apartment, slipping the photo he adored so much into his bag as he went.
"Solana" Garrus beamed as he entered 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, explore opportunities.
Garrus cleared his throat, looking around the place was huge and new, everything state of the art, "thought this place was-"
"it was full Garrus!" she laughed excited, "by the spirits, it's a miracle, we got a call one day from the administration saying a space for therapy had opened and mom was an ideal candidate, all fees paid for"
"so a trial?" Garrus frowned, "is it safe?" he looked around the room staring intently at the empty bed; "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.
He didn't argue further, simply returned to his mother's room with more questions than answers. Anna Pilos?
"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. Cera and Solana telling him everything that he had missed in his years being away, he had 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?" Cera teased
Garrus laughed nervously, that could be hard "plenty of time for that"
Cera looked at him with a furrowed brow, "what was that laugh?"
Solana smirked, "you mean the incredibly nervous chuckle?" she pressed playfully "looks like Garrus may already have someone"
Garrus's mandibles clicked audibly, "lay off me Solana" he cleared his throat, "it was just a laugh"
"hmm…" Cera 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" he murmured under his breath, she really 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" Cera 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 Cera's bed, he bowed nuzzling her forehead, "even your sister-"
"it's nice to see you dad" Garrus stood, 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, every day 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 re-reading a message he was about to send and frowned at the elder Turian who stood at the door to the hospital bay.
"where?"
Cera looked to Garrus and frowned narrowing her eyes in a 'go now' expression, Garrus ground his teeth as he stood and followed after Castis.
They exited the hospital in silence, hailed a cab and ended up in a bar within town.
The pair 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 his father, the most stubborn pain in the arse in the world, accepting the threat so openly.
"I'll be returning back home for business soon, join me, we should see him together" Castis offered.
"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
"li'm not on trial, I need to contact-"
"I am unable to break protocol"
"I'm not under arrest here-"
"I'm sorry lieutenant colonel but the committee's decision is final"
"seriously?" she snapped exasperated.
She turned her head grinding her teeth, she just wanted to let him know she was okay, she had promised to stay in touch but Garrus would understand, he knew how these things worked and after a few weeks of no-contact he would realise what was happening.