Chapter 2

"But thank you, Commander. My sister is safe again, in large part thanks to you. I won't forget that." Miranda's voice had softened slightly. Anya smiled and the other woman began to retreat to her desk. The mission had been a bit of a mess, but the Commander was fairly certain that Miranda wouldn't attempt that kind of deceit again. The end result of Oriana being safe was the important part.

Or that's what Anya told herself. She was still a little angry at the deliberate miscommunications, but it would be better to let it go and move forward than nail Miranda's (allegedly) genetically perfect ass to the wall.

Instead of acting on the last vestiges of her frustration, Anya nodded her farewell and left without a word. She ducked into the mess area to grab herself some food. The mission had kept her adrenaline pumping, and she knew she was in danger of crashing soon, but if she didn't eat, she knew she'd wake up feeling like hell.

(Ramen will do.)

It was likely a little bland, but it could be prepared quickly, and that was good enough. She started to wolf down the noodles with relish. Even a mediocre meal was something she could appreciate, because anything beat being hungry.

(I'm not going to starve.) The chiding she gave herself was mild. Growing up on the street had definitely skewed her attitude towards food, and she doubted that one bowl of ramen would change it any time soon. The best she could do was slow down so that she could breathe in between bites.

About two thirds of the way through the bowl, Jacob arrived, looking concerned.

"Jacob!" She greeted him with a neutral smile. "Did you need something?"

"Commander, I was wondering if you've been informed that Officer Vakarian is poking around your armor and weapons." The words came out in a rush, uncertainty on the man's face.

"That's...odd."

"That's what I thought." The man hesitated before continuing. "I don't want to report it to Miranda, or the Illusive Man, but I felt like I should say something to you. He's not doing anything wrong, per se, but it's strange."

"I'll talk to him. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." There was no doubt in her mind that he wasn't doing any harm. "Honestly, we maintain our gear together on a pretty regular basis. He's probably just double checking to make sure there's no rust, or any grime buildup in the crevices. He can be a little anal about stuff like that."

"I sincerely hope that you're right. Vakarian seems like good people." There was sincerity in Jacob's voice, and it made Anya smile. It was a nice reminder that not everyone she knew were assholes.

"He is. I'll go ahead and talk to him." She placed her food down and headed towards the armory. The moment she walked in, she saw him, and he immediately stood bolt upright when he noticed.

"Shepard!" She couldn't hear his subharmonics, but after all their time together, she could read his expression. He was surprised, and a little embarrassed.

"Hey, Garrus, what's up?" She could clearly see that it was her armor he was bent over before her entrance.

"I can explain." His words were rushed.

"Well, I already guessed that it wasn't sabotage or the turian equivalent of a panty raid, so that already narrowed it down some," she teased. The joke didn't make him relax, even a little.

"How would you know what a turian panty raid looked like?" he queried.

"So that's what it is." She feigned surprise. He immediately seemed defensive.

"No! It's definitely not." He tried to collect himself.

"What are you doing, then?" Her voice gentled. He obviously didn't appreciate the teasing, and she had meant to make the situation less stressful.

"It's just... I.." he faltered for a moment. "I read the report, when you died. Joker smuggled me a copy of it, because I wouldn't stop hounding him. It was...bad."

"And what does that have to do with this, exactly?" She could practically hear the blood rushing through her ears. Almost no one had spoken about the fact that she had died, and no one had mentioned it to her face since she boarded the Normandy. It made Garrus saying it seem surreal.

"It read like a worst case scenario for faulty equipment. Seemed like a faulty hose or gasket, so sometimes I just...feel like I need to make sure your gear is good. It makes me feel more settled to know that everything is combat ready. I...I don't have many friends, Shep. Spirits, losing you was hard. I just don't think I can lose my best friend again, especially if it's because of something so easily prevented."

She swallowed, but it hurt. Another word from him probably would have broken her. "This is why we're going through so many parts, isn't it? You've been swapping out little things as soon as they start showing wear." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah." His eyes were directed at the floor.

"You're an idiot. You know that, right?" She tried to keep her tone light, but she could hear how strained and thick her voice sounded.

He looked up. "I just...felt like this was another way I could have your six."

The lump was bigger now, and her eyes were burning. "You always do. Thank you, Garrus."

"Are you okay?" He came around the table and stood next to her, so that they were almost shoulder to shoulder. "I wasn't trying to overstep."

"I'm really not okay, but it's not your fault. I just...I'm glad you're here with me." She rested her head on his shoulder when a few tears leaked out.

"I really wasn't trying to upset you." His arm came up and around her smaller frame. He squeezed once, carefully. He always worried that he could hurt her with his talons.

"It's a good thing. Sometimes my emotions just build up and I either have to let them out or I'll start going nuts. Believe it or not, I really appreciate you taking the time you have. It's just nice that someone cares." She sniffed once. "I mean, intellectually, I know people care, but knowing it and feeling it aren't the same. It's just... it's been so hard, being back after so long. I miss our friends, and I watched you almost die, and I spend so much time just trying to take care of everyone else…"

"Hey, you're not alone." The passing mention of the rocket made his voice shift. She knew it had been too close a brush with death for either of their liking.

"I know. I just don't want to be a burden for you. You already have so much going on-"

"Hey, stop." He turned, and tugged her to face him. "You are never a burden for me, especially after all the times you've let me lean on you."

The tears were coming faster now. She found herself literally leaning on the turian, and he simply enveloped her in an embrace while she cried. It was only a few minutes, but she felt lighter afterward.

"Sorry about that," she muttered. "I don't normally get weepy like that." He loosened his hold on her and made eye contact with her.

"It's fine, Shepard. I'm happy to be here for you. Besides," he shifted so that his fist was offered, "there's no Vakarian without Shepard."

She smiled through residual tears, touching her knuckles to his briefly, almost whispering, "And there's no Shepard without Vakarian."

"Attagirl." His mandibles shifted, he seemed pleased.

"You're a good friend, Garrus."

"What is it your people say? Takes one to know one?"

She snorted. "Yeah, but it's normally meant as an insult."

"Only your people could turn something like that into a rude sentiment."

"Coming from mister 'oh, no, not soft!' himself? That's rich." He laughed at her words.

"Go get some rest, Shep. It's been a hell of a day. I'll finish up the armor and probably crash myself. That last firefight was brutal." He made a noise, indicating his distaste.

"Ugh, I know. And having essentially zero accurate intel from Miranda made it so much worse." She yawned then.

Garrus chuckled. "We'll bitch about it tomorrow. You're going to end up sleep talking if you don't go to bed soon."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going. Don't keep yourself up too late. I'm not the only one who can act foolish when they're tired."

"Yes, Commander." He mock saluted as she walked away, and she smiled.

"Sleep tight, Garrus."

"Sleep tight, Anya."

It wasn't until she made her way up to her cabin and made herself comfortable in bed that she wondered why he had called her by her first name.