A/N: Okay, I'm pretty sure my account advisor is on the brink of hiring a hitman on me. I just ordered a new commission from a artist. This time, it will include both Mads and Tali. When will the commission come out? Only the Lord knows, but if you want, you can check out my deviantart that already holds a two drawings of Mads Romanov. The account name is KanisRussell.

I'll notify y'all when it's out. Have a good one, and do give some feedback on the chapter!

Kind regards

KanisRussell.

3/8 2185

Citadel.

"You sure this is the place?" Mads asked as the neared a warehouse in a shady part of the wards. Garrus was still hot on the trail of his traitor.

"It's here. Fade should be inside. Now it's just a matter of shaking him up a bit, and making him talk his guts out." Garrus replied as he checked his pistol to see if the clip was still in there.

"Are you certain you want to go through with this?" Mads asked concerned.

"Dead certain. I thought you wanted to help?" Garrus asked back.

"I want to, but I need to know you really want this" The look in Garrus' eyes told him everything he needed to know "….. Alright, let's go see if Fade is willing to talk." Mads replied.

Things had been tough the last couple of days. Thane was dealing with matters relating to his son, and mr. Rorke seemed to have pulled of one of the most gruesome kills yet. Skinning a man alive and hiding his organs around Elias' apartment in a twisted game of hide and seek. Now, it was time to help Garrus.

Stepping into the warehouse, they were greeted with two large Krogans wearing full body armor. Looking as mean as ever, holding their shotguns by their waist. Garrus took the lead this time, probably because he wanted to be in charge of it. And that made Mads realize, Garrus was going to do this with or without Mads' help.

"Where is Fade?" Garrus asked as he kept his hand on his deagle's grip. The Krogans looked at each other before pulling away to show nothing other than a Volus, slowly making his way forward. His posture was arrogant and that was only backed up by the Krogans.

"I'm Fade." The Volus claimed with an even more arrgorant voice.

"You're Fade?" Garrus asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I know I may not be what you expected, but let's get down to business. Which one of you wants to disappear?" The Volus asked.

"We would like the reverse deal, where you make someone... Reappear" Garrus replied.

"That's not the service we offer." The Volus explained in an almost offended tone.

"You are in dire need of a re-branding anyhow, why not start here?" Mads asked.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Guards, escort these gentlemen out of here." The Volus ordered.

Mads and Garrus both drew the guns, and killed the Krogans before they could even properly wield theirs. Their heavy bodies collapsed on the floor with a bang. The Volus looked at his bodyguards with confusion.

"They were expensive! So much for paid protection..." The Volus remarked with a sigh.

Mads squatted down to be eye level with the Volus. "I think you and I can make a deal. You tell us where to find the real Fade, and we'll let your sorry ass walk out of here with all fingers still attached to your hand. How does that sound?" Mads asked.

"You make a pretty good case. Fade is at our base of operation." The Volus replied with a bit nervous tone, hoping the answer was good enough.

"And where would that be?" Mads asked.

"In the factory district, working out of the old prefab foundry." The Vouls proclaimed.

"I know the place." Garrus remarked.

"Be aware. He has a lot of Blue suns protected him, Harkin believes they all answer to him." The Volus explained.

"Harkin? You're telling me that old drunk is Fade?" Mads asked in disbelief.

"Well... He got fired from C-sec a while back. He decided to use his knowledge to start a new business helping people disappear." The Volus explained.

"Well, seems like we must find good ol' Harkin and pay him a small visit. Shall we?" Mads asked as he gestured towards the door. Garrus nodded and they both went out. Leaving the Volus with the corpses.

It wasn't a long route to the place Harkin was at. The Volus wasn't lying when he said Harkin had protection as well, although these seemed to be better trained than those Krogans. Harkin hadn't noticed them as they pulled up, probably thought they were just some new clients there for the... Services they provided.

"Harkin! So good to see you again. I trust the nose isn't giving you too much trouble?" Mads greeted as Harkin stopped straight in his tracks.

"YOU!" To say Harkin was surprised would be an understatement. "Fucking kill them!" Harkin ordered as he rushed away. The Blue Suns began to fire their weapons at Mads, Garrus and Thane. Garrus had a certain fury in his eyes as he rushed ahead. It was unlike him, normally a sniper with an undying patience. Now, he stormed after Harkin, killing off each thug with a skill that was unrivaled.

Mads and Thane actually had a hard time keeping up. Garrus left a huge amount of bodies in his wake. He had his mind set on a certain goal, and he was to stop at nothing to achieve it. Mads could in a sense admire that. He just hoped he wouldn't go too far.

Garrus tore through all the mercs like they were nothing, just simple obstacles in the way of his goal. Lord have mercy on Harkin, because Garrus sure as hell wouldn't have. "NOWHERE TO RUN HARKIN!" Garrus yelled at the former C-sec officer as he snapped the neck of a poor merc.

A Prefab foundry could now be added to the places they had fought. That list must be pretty long by now. Mads could probably write a book on urban warfare. Hell, they all could. Not that any of that mattered right now. As Garrus' wrath unfolded in front of them.

Harkin thought he had gotten away, even took a few seconds to mock Mads and Thane, but Garrus had been doing some smart thinking for the first time in his life, and found a path that put him right in Harkin's way. It was the second time that day Harkin was surprised, and he soon found himself ass on the ground. To make it even better, Garrus even gave Harkin a broken nose again.

"Harkin, I'm hurt. Why would you run from us? I thought we used to be pals." Garrus asked.

"No hard feelings Garrus. I'm sure you and I can work something out." Harkin tried to sweeten it up.

"I'm looking for a client of yours." Garrus remarked.

"Well, if you do a little something for me-" Harkin was interrupted by a punch from Garrus. Harkin was struggling to get back up, grunting in pain from the punch.

"Don't be a wise ass now, Harkin. Garrus asked nicely. I'd recommend giving him an answer." Mads suggested.

"Really?" Harkin asked sarcastically.

"I'm looking for a Turian by the name of Sidonis-" Garrus was cut off by Harkin.

"I'm not telling you shit. My business would go belly up pretty quickly if I began to give out information." Garrus grabbed Harkin by the throat and pulled him close.

"Oh yeah? I can think of a lot of worse things that could happen to you. Like... A broken spine!" Garrus threw Harkin on the ground and pressed him under his metal boot, choking him from air.

"Alright! Alright! I'll give you what you want!" Harkin promised, Garrus released him from his hold. Harkin got back up and went over the terminal to set up a meeting. He got Sidonis on the line, told him they had to meet. Of course, this would be a perfect opportunity for Garrus. Question was, what about Harkin?

"I have given you what you wanted. Can I go now?" Harkin asked.

"Like you said Harkin, you just destroyed your own business. Perhaps a quick death would be more merciful?" Garrus stated.

"Come on Garrus. You're not like that." Harkin pleaded.

"Maybe not, but you deserve some kind of punishment. I could slow you down a little." Garrus pressed his Deagle against the thigh of Harkin.

A single shot. A .50 AE bullet ripping through Harkin's leg sure would slow him down. In the hopes that C-sec could decide his fate. Mads couldn't say that Harkin deserved any better. He was a scumbag, through and through. And hopefully this would be the last time they would see each other.

Garrus was hell bent on going through with it. It was the same as with Liara. Mads seriously doubted this would work out in Garrus' favor in the long run. Revenge usually left more open wounds than it closed. Still, Mads was hardly anyone to speak about this. They flew through the air at a speed that was sure to break several traffic laws on the citadel.

Garrus landed at a vantage point. Like the sniper he was, he found the perfect place. He Measured everything, and began to unpack his sniper. Putting it into the right position. Mads walked over to him.

"You still sure?" Mads asked.

"Of course. How many times shall I tell you?" Garrus was getting annoyed at Mads attempting to push some sort of ethical code.

"Alright, so what's the plan?" Mads asked, knowing full well that Garrus was on the course, and there would be nothing that could stop him.

"You keep him talking, I'll let you know when I got him in my sights." Garrus explained as he calibrated his scope to the right measurements.

"Alright, I'll do it." Mads said as he got ready to jump back into the skycar and fly down to the street where they would meet.

"Romanov!" Garrus called out. Mads turned around and faced Garrus. "I appreciate what you are doing here. I won't forget it." Mads nodded at Garrus.

A few seconds later Mads stood on the street. He looked out at the crowd that was formed there, and Mads tried to spot the person they were looking for. He saw him, sitting on a bench by himself in civilian clothes. He looked lonely and sighed as he looked at the time on his omni-tool. Mads walked over to him, and gave Sidonis a look that told him that Mads were there for him.

Sidonis stood up and walked over to Mads with an annoyed look on his face. "What's all this? Where is fade?" He asked a bit more nervous.

"Fade couldn't make it. Not to worry though, we'll get this sorted in a few moments." Mads stated, awaiting the call in his ear piece from Garrus.

"And you're sure this will work this time?" Sidonis asked with concern.

"Oh, you won't have to worry about anything in the future." Mads replied with an evil smile that Sidonis didn't pick up on.

"Romanov. I got him in my sights, step aside." Garrus said over the radio. Mads did as requested. Sidonis understood within seconds and began to make a run for it.

He didn't get very far before a shot rang out in the street. Sidonis collapsed from the bullet wound in his back, he died within seconds. People began to panic around Mads, it allowed for a perfect get-away. Mads quickly got back in the skycar and flew back to the platform Garrus was standing on.

Garrus got in quickly and they both flew away from the crime scene. They could already hear the sirens of C-sec coming closer. Luckily they didn't know it was them... Yet. They flew back to the Normandy dock. They both got out, and Mads noticed Garrus had been pretty quiet. (That was pretty unusual.)

"Hey Garrus?" Mads asked.

"What?" Garrus asked back.

"You want to go get a drink tonight? There is a lovely bar nearby." Mads suggested.

"Hmmmm... That would be nice." Garrus actually liked the idea. He had gotten a thirst after pulling the trigger. Perhaps it wasn't as easy as firing a single shot.

"Alright, we'll meet there." Mads said as he gave the location to Garrus.

Later that night.

Mads stood outside the small bar. It was a bar that was inspired by Irish pubs, and it had live music. Mads was smoking a cigarette as he waited for Garrus to get his sorry ass there. He probably got side-tracked by a gun shop that sold new scopes.

A lot of people passed by. The bar was mostly human dominated, but it served everyone that walked in. Mads had chosen the place after getting a drink there about 2 years ago, when he was still injured in his leg.

There weren't a lot of people in there. But that was probably because it was a Wednesday, and most people had work then next day. Still, there were enough people to have a small unknown band to play in there. They seemed to be playing Irish music, which was usually fast paced and funny.

Garrus finally showed up, he had tried to change into something that could be considered... Casual? Maybe, but Mads apperiated the effort. "Glad you could make it." Mads remarked.

"I came as fast as I could." Garrus replied.

"Let's just get something to drink." Mads suggested.

"I'm in on that." Garrus followed Mads inside. They sat down at a couch. Mads ordered a Guinness beer and Garrus got some Turian wine. They drank to the lovely Irish music that was going on. Mads was trying to get Garrus to open up. It was the least he could do.

"You still think that... erh... That it was the right choice?" Mads asked. Garrus took a sip of his wine before answering.

"Does it matter? It's done. What do you expect me to say?" Garrus asked back.

"I don't know... Perhaps the old Cliché: 'I feel empty inside.' Or something like that." Mads remarked with a sigh as he sat back in his seat.

"Well... The chapter is closed. This closure meant a lot to me. Do I feel better? No, but at least I don't have to give any more thought." Garrus said. Sipping more on his wine.

"Guess that's true. Not like I should judge..." Mads replied.

"So, how's things with Tali?" Garrus shifted the subject. Mads looked up at him.

"They're good. These last couple of days have been some of the happiest ones in a long time." Mads replied as he took a sip of his beer.

"It was about time you two got together. The flirting in the air was getting to thick." Garrus remarked.

"Oh, don't expect it to get any less annoying." Mads joked.

"Yeah, I guess I'm gonna have to get used to it." Garrus laughed.

"So... You been having any... Romantic feelings lately?" Mads asked. It was mostly meant as a joke. Garrus drank the last wine in his glass and was quick to order a new one.

"Well... If you can keep your royal mouth shut, I might tell you." Garrus promised.

"Is that so?" Garrus nodded "In that case, my lips are sealed." Mads promised.

"Alright... So... Erh... I feel like there might be some chemistry between me and... Kasumi." Garrus explained. Mads was taken back.

"Really?" Mads asked, more curious than anything else.

"Yeah, I do kinda like the... Human female body. And we can speak quite well together." Garrus went on.

"Fair enough. I agree, she is not bad looking. You think she would go for a Turian?" Mads asked further.

"Guess that remains to be seen. It's probably just wishful thinking on my part." Garrus replied.

"Kasumi seem pretty sweet. I'm certain she would at least give you a chance. Perhaps you just need a little push, like I did." Mads suggested.

"Maybe..." Garrus said. The conversation fell dead in the water. Mads had an idea. The band seemed to take a break on the stage.

"Hey Garrus, wanna hear some old Irish song I know?" Mads asked as he hit Garrus' forearm.

"Sure, go for it." Garrus said, mostly as a joke.

Mads, however, did so. He went up on the stage and got the band to play the music in the background. Mads cleared his throat. The patrons in the bar noticed who it was on the stage, and looked on with interest.

A/N: In case you guys want to hear the song, it's called "Seven Drunken Nights" :)

"As I went home on Monday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw a horse outside the door where my old horse should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that horse outside the door where my old horse should be?" Mads sang, most of the people in the bar seemed to pick up on what song it was, and slowly sing along.

"Ah, you're drunk,
you're drunk you silly old fool,
still you can not see
That's a lovely sow that me mother sent to me
Well, it's many a day I've travelled a hundred miles or more
But a saddle on a sow sure I never saw before"

Most people got into the mood. Following the verses as Mads sang along. Garrus had never really noticed, but Mads was actually pretty good at singing. It was a weird fact, but of course, Mads was better at fighting.

"And as I went home on Thursday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw two boots beneath the bed where my old boots should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns them boots beneath the bed where my old boots should be"

"Ah, you're drunk,
you're drunk you silly old fool,
still you can not see
They're two lovely Geranium pots me mother sent to me
Well, it's many a day I've travelled a hundred miles or more
But laces in Geranium pots I never saw before"

The night just got better from that point forward as the song wrapped up. Everyone was cheerful in the bar, and Garrus and Mads began to drink a bit more than they should. Mads was chugging whiskey, while Garrus was seeing how many shots he could take in a competition against random bar patron.

And as it neared 2 AM in the night, Mads and Garrus finally left the bar. They still sang the song together as they walked drunkenly through the streets of the citadel. Mads nearly falling on his ass several times, and Garrus getting distracted by new scopes for his rifles. He would mumble on about how useful they would be.

As they walked down the street with only dim lights as their company, Garrus spoke up. "Hey Romanov?"

"Yeah?" Mads asked, followed by a hiccup.

"What was in that box..." Garrus had to stop up and think, due to just how drunk he was "-you brought from the migrant fleet?"

Mads also had to think as he looked up at the artificial sky. "... OH, That one!" Mads remembered with a laugh. "You really want to know?" Mads teased.

"Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't have asked." Garrus replied.

"Quarian wine." Mads answered.

"No way!" Garrus didn't believe it right away. Quarian wine was rare, and hard to get. It was even more unlikely that an outsider would be allowed to buy some.

"Yeah, figured it would be something- Hiccup -special for her." Mads replied. The two stopped up as Mads attempted to light a cigarette. Garrus had to balance Mads as he had trouble standing on his own.

"You know Romanov... I'm... Erh... Really glad you helped me." Garrus said with a low voice, like it was sort of humiliating for him to thank some else for their help. Guess it was that whole Turian warrior code playing in.

Mads looked over at Garrus as he took a puff from his cigarette. He blew out the smoke. "Garrus, you have been there since we learned the truth about Saren. You helped me in many different ways, this is a favor between brothers. But – Hiccup – Don't think I won't cash in that favors from your Deagle." Mads drunkenly replied. Garrus laughed.

They two walked back to the Normandy through the mostly empty wards as they sang on from the song in the pub. They both laughed, and in the sense, bonded as brothers even more than they already had.

Of course, Mads had... Forgotten to tell Tali he was going out with Garrus for a drink. It would be fun explained that when they got back. As they walked into the Normandy and awaited for the decontamination to finish, they realized that very few people were up at time. Which was good, seeing the Captain and his closest mate stumbling around drunk probably wouldn't be a good thing.

Still, Garrus was less drunk than Mads. So he had an obligation to see the captain safely to his quarters, even if that meant facing the possible wrath by a Quarian.

It had been a long time since Mads had said he would be back. Tali tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for her bond mate to return home. To be honest, she was getting worried. Maybe he had been corned in an alley and stabbed? No, he could look after himself. She thought. She just had to wait until he came back.

Luckily, it wasn't long before the door opened, only to reveal both Mads, with a cigarette in his mouth, and Garrus holding him in place. At first, Tali thought something bad might have happened, until it became all too clear that he was drunk. Then, she worried what Garrus would think. She was in the captain's quarters close to 2:30 am in the night. As far as she knew, Garrus knew nothing of their relationship.

"Tali!" Mads greeted drunkenly as he broke away from Garrus hold and tried to hold his balance as he walked over to her.

"What the hell were you doing?" She asked with anger in her voice.

"What? - Hiccup – We were just having a drink... Or two." Mads tried to defend himself. His arguments however, left a lot to be desired.

"I think it was a few more than two." Tali got angry again.

"Tali... Me and Romanov were just celebrated me closing a chapter in my life. No reason to go all ballistic on him." Garrus came to Mads' aid.

Tali sighed, of course they had gone out to celebrate something like that. "It's just that... I want to know where you are." Tali tried to explain.

"I'm sorry Love... I didn't mean to upset you." Mads pulled her into a hug. Tali just couldn't be angry when his arms were wrapped around her.

"It's alright... I forgive you." Tali said.

"Thank you... Now-... Who will help me get the boots off?" Mads asked. Garrus and Tali looked at each other.

"I got some... erh... calibration to do... See you in the morning Romanov." Garrus backed out and waved at them both as he slipped out.

"Yeah sure, see ya Garrus!" Mads yelled with a laugh after him. Tali sighed once again.

"Fine, I'll help with the boots." And so she did. And she silently cursed him for choosing to wear those dumb jackboots, there were almost impossible to get off. Still, she got it done. Mads made up for it by being extra lovely as they went to sleep.

Of course she couldn't stay angry at him.