Chapter 27

Anya started when her omni-tool beeped at her. After so long without it, she was still getting used to its presence. She chided herself for being jumpy as she checked it, her heartbeat quickening as she realized that it was a message from Garrus.

Any chance you wanted company tonight? I can bring the bar to you if you don't feel up to meeting me down here.

She scrambled to type a response, her pulse pounding in her ears.

You're always welcome to come up, and I am curious about the wine you bought me. I don't remember the last time I had some of the good stuff.

She hoped he'd get a laugh out of her response as she got up and started tidying up a little. While she hadn't exactly descended into being a slob, she still felt the need to straighten her desk and the pillows on her couch. She darted into the bathroom to make sure her hair looked alright when she got his next response.

Give me a second to grab glasses and I'll be straight up.

Her heart was outright hammering now, and she reminded herself that she had no reason to be nervous about Garrus coming to her cabin. He'd as good as told her that he still had feelings for her, which meant she was working herself up over nothing.

She finished fussing over her hair and stepped out of the bathroom in time to hear the elevator whir, and she took a breath to steel herself as she leaned back against the pillar next to her desk. The door opened to reveal him, cradling the bottles and glasses in one arm, a bottle opener with a corkscrew attachment in his free hand. She found herself smiling at him as he walked in.

"Hey, Garrus," she said breathlessly.

"Hey, Anya. I'm not going to lie, I was worried that I'd put off messaging you until too late."

"Is it late?" She glanced at her omni-tool, finally realizing that it was almost ten. She admitted, "I didn't even notice. I've been reading all evening and time must have gotten away from me."

"Mmm, the same thing happened to me with the thanix cannon. The last time I looked at the time was around five hours ago. Your mechanics did a number on my girl," he teased.

"Please, I know better than to give anyone permission to touch your gun," she retorted as she started down the stairs. He followed her to the couch, and they both settled into their respective spots. She kicked off her boots and tucked her feet in so that they were on the couch.

"Well, I'm glad somebody has some sense," he pretended to grumble as he carefully placed everything on the table and sat next to her, his knee almost touching hers. "That's the last time the Alliance gets to touch our stuff."

"Ugh, seconded." She watched as he deftly opened her bottle with the corkscrew, his motions fluid as he followed by pouring her a glass. He fixed his own drink just as quickly, and she picked up her glass as he finished. She took a small sip of the wine, partly out of curiosity, partly to have something to do with her hands, and she made a pleased noise at the taste. "Okay, that had to be expensive."

"So it's good?"

"Oh, yes," she answered, taking a slightly longer drink. He seemed pleased with her response, taking a drink of his own before he settled back comfortably.

"That's good. I was a little worried that it would turn out to be terrible, but I looked it up, and a lot of people seemed to like it."

"I can definitely see why. This is definitely way nicer than anything I've bought in...God, probably five years." He laughed at that.

"You deserve nice things now and then," he reminded her, and she shook her head.

"It's easy to forget. Anyway, I'm sure you didn't come up here to show me up on alcohol," she teased.

"I just...wanted to talk for a bit, and make sure that you were okay. I know we talked about me a lot earlier. I was hoping I could talk you into telling me what all's been going on with you since the last time we were able to really spend time together."

"I mean, I spent pretty much the entire time I was on Earth confined to quarters minus an hour in the morning for PT and an hour in the evening to freely wander a fenced in section of grass. There isn't a whole lot to talk about. Most of my days were the same, depending on the weather. Occasionally they called me into meetings where they asked me a bunch of questions that I'd already answered."

"That sounds...kind of terrible."

"It wasn't intended to be fun."

"Did you...meet anyone?" She pretended not to notice him fidgeting.

"No. I mean, obviously, I met people, but it was just the people asking me questions and the same three dudes guarding me that didn't really talk to me much. I'm friendly enough with Vega now that I don't mind taking him out on missions, but we weren't exactly buddies back home. I spent a lot of time alone." She took another sip, staring at her glass pensively.

"For what it's worth, you aren't alone now," he said gently, and she glanced back at him with a small smile. She placed her glass on the table and shifted so that she was leaning back next to him.

She laid her head on his shoulder, murmuring, "I know. I'm glad you're here."

He chuckled softly at that, shifting so that he was holding his drink in his far hand. His newly open hand found one of hers. "I'm glad to be here, Shep. I...I really missed you."

"I missed you, too," she almost whispered, turning to look up at him, her heart pounding again. His gaze was intense, and she found herself closing her eyes as she pressed her mouth to his once. She felt him pull away, and her eyes flew open. She watched as he put his glass on the table, then he immediately turned back to her.

"I missed you kissing me," he said quietly as his arm slid around her carefully. He was the one who initiated the next kiss, and she shivered as his hand came up to cradle her jaw. She moved her mouth against his as her hand began to travel up his chest. Her tongue darted out as her hand trailed up the side of his neck. He made an approving noise as her hand made its way high enough to graze his fringe.

Garrus groaned when she tugged outright, and she let out a surprised noise when he pulled her into his lap. He carefully nipped her bottom lip, and she moaned softly. His hands wandered shamelessly as their tongues continued to tangle, and in what seemed like no time, she was panting as she clung to him.

"Garrus…" she whimpered as his mouth travelled downward, licking, nipping, and nuzzling his way along her jaw and the upper part of her throat. She suddenly wished that she'd thought to change into something that would give him more access to skin instead of fussing with pillows.

"Spirits, Anya," he rumbled, his breath hot. "Do you want me to slow down? Are we rushing this?"

Her retort was almost immediate. "Not even a little."