Chapter 50

Anya knew she was frowning as she steadily put away her gear, taking care not to slam anything into its place. She was annoyed, though she knew it was ridiculous to be upset. Legion was still on the shuttle, running some last minute diagnostics to make sure he could still integrate with EDI, and everyone had returned from the dreadnought intact, but the revelation about Dr. Michel's interest in Garrus was trying its hardest to worm its way under her skin. Between that and the leftover adrenaline in her system after fighting so many of the geth.

"Still mad at me for the chocolates?" Garrus asked as he stepped in next to her, and she fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"Firstly, I'm not mad. Secondly, if I were, it would mostly be at Dr. Michel."

"I just don't know why you're upset over candy. I want to understand."

"Because gifting someone food, specifically chocolates, not chocolate as in a single candy bar, but chocolates as in an assortment in a red box with a ribbon, is considered a romantic gift," Anya explained, trying to keep her voice level as Tali approached.

"That's very...specific."

"Not helpful."

"I'm sorry, Anya. How can I help?" he attempted to sooth, and she sighed.

"Maybe not accepting romantic gifts from other women?" Tali suggested and Anya made an aggravated noise.

"Can we just change the subject? I'm not mad at Garrus, and I'd rather not be mad at Dr. Michel the next time I see her, which is exactly what is going to happen if I keep being reminded about the stupid candy."

"Okay, so...what else is off limits, if someone else is trying to give me things? I don't want to screw up twice," Garrus reasoned.

"You didn't screw up, you just didn't know that was likely her making it clear that she likes you," Anya said with a sigh, resisting the temptation to rub her eyes. She nearly groaned when Vega began to approach from where he'd been lurking, likely somewhere near his workout gear, a towel over the back of his neck.

"I'd still like to know."

"Well, chocolates is a given at this point. There's also flowers, jewelry. Homemade food is iffy, unless you know they have a history of cooking for friends," Anya listed off tiredly.

"I'm sorry, so accessories, plants, and food? Those are the big ones?"

"It's not just any accessories, or any plants, or any food, though, honey. It's very specific."

"What the hell are you guys even talking about?" James asked, glancing around.

"Dr. Michel gave Garrus chocolates, he didn't realize that meant she probably liked him," Tali volunteered, and James whistled.

"Yeah, no. Bad move, man. You better hope your girlfriend doesn't hear about it, she's going to be super pissed."

"I noticed," Garrus retorted drily.

"Oh, shit, she knows?"

"Yes, James. Yes, I know," Anya said tightly.

"But, wait, I thought...oh. Oh. Oh, damn. I didn't...so you two are...damn." Realization and embarrassment crossed his face in waves. "I am...so dumb for not picking that up sooner. No wonder you and Lola get so weird when you're together."

"I told you he hadn't realized!" Garrus declared triumphantly.

"Wait, you didn't know that Garrus and Shepard were a thing?" Tali asked, perturbed.

"I just acknowledged how blind I am, let's not do the whole salt in the wound thing. And it ain't fair for you to bet on a rigged game!" James punched Garrus in the shoulder with a scowl.

"Blind or not, lieutenant, you are currently my favorite crayon-eater," Anya joked, glad to have something else to talk about, and he snorted.

"You do know they don't make crayons anymore, right?"

"Not out of paraffin, but you can still find them," she argued. "Mostly in higher end art supply places, but they're there."

"Why do you know that?" James asked, his arms crossed.

"I'm...also curious about that one." Garrus seemed surprised.

"I may or may not have attempted some art therapy after Elysium," she admitted wryly, and Garrus grinned.

"Why is this the first I'm hearing about this?"

"Ah, wait, were you any good?" James asked, looking sly.

"God, no. I'm nearly as bad at making art as I am dancing. Ask them." She gestured at Garrus and Tali.

"That's why." Amusement was clear in Tali's voice.

"It can't be that bad, Shep," Garrus said surely, and Anya raised a brow.

"I feel like you're implying something, Garrus."

"Oh, spirits, why does it feel like that was a trap?"

"Probably because that was a trap, bud," said James with a grin.

"I desperately want to stop being in trouble today. Just tell me what to do," he entreated playfully, and Anya shook her head.

"Just leave it alone," she said with a laugh.

"Alright, well, if there's anything I can do to make it up to you, just say the word."

"Just don't give her Dr. Michel's chocolates," Tali teased.

"I am not that oblivious," Garrus pretended to grouse. "Do you want them? They're dextro and I don't think I could finish them off in good conscience."

"Oooh, yes please," Tali said gleefully.

"You don't have to give them away, honey."

"I genuinely do not want them anymore," he replied, shaking his head.

"Good man," James said, clapping a hand on the turian's shoulder. "You should be glad Lola has a laid-back streak. Some ladies would have flipped out over this."

"I am glad. Still feel like I need to make it up to you, though." His gaze was searching.

"Just...take me somewhere nice for my birthday when it comes around and we'll call it a day? I really don't want this to be a big thing."

"I can do that," Garrus said with a nod, and she smiled.

"Now that that's settled-"

"Wait, when is your birthday, again?" Garrus seemed puzzled. "Did I miss your birthday? I could have sworn we got together before it should have passed."

"Oh, no," Tali muttered.

"You did, but that was because I had just gotten arrested like...two-ish weeks before. It's the eleventh of April, though."

"I am so sorry, Anya," he started, looking stricken.

"It's not your fault. Hell, even if you'd tried to send me something, the Alliance would have wrecked it to make sure it wasn't going to lead to a jailbreak. It's fine," she said, waving it off.

"I feel like a terrible boyfriend right now. What do you want as a...disappointingly late birthday gift?" he pressed.

"I don't want things, honey. Not really. I just want to spend time with you. Okay?"

"Okay. Just...tell me if you change your mind? Because I don't mind doing both. I can actually afford to get you nice things if you want them."

"I'm fine. Really," she said, torn between irritation and being glad that he wanted to even offer.

"Would you be upset if I got you something anyway? Even if it's something small?" he asked.

"If you see something, I'm not going to refuse it, but I don't want you going through a lot of trouble over this, okay?"

"Okay."

"You're lucky she's not in a mood," Tali teased, and Garrus smiled.

"I think I'm lucky for a lot of other reasons, too," he murmured, and Anya felt her ears heat up.

"On that note, I should go. And, for the record, you two are meddling too much today," she reproached, glancing at James and Tali in turn as she shut the locker.

"Aww, we don't mean any harm, Lola."

"We really don't," Tali agreed, taking the other woman's arm in hers.

"I'm just saying, you know Garrus worries. What good does getting him wound up when I'm not even mad do?"

"Sorry, Garrus," Tali said earnestly.

"I'm not apologizing until I get my money back."

"James!" Tali seemed scandalized.

"No, that's fair," Garrus said with a grin. "I'll have your money back by dinner. Fair?"

"I can live with that. Sorry for poking at you, Scars."

"I'll live."

"There, see? Everybody is happy," Tali said brightly, and Anya let the younger woman tug her away.

"You guys are a mess. Are we going somewhere?"

"We are."

"Apparently I'm needed elsewhere. I'll see you later, honey," she called over her shoulder.

"You ladies have fun. Try to stay out of trouble," Garrus replied.

"No promises!" Tali retorted.

"Tali," he warned, and she laughed.

"We'll stay out of big trouble," Anya promised with a grin.

"I'll settle for that for now, but we're talking about this later!" She laughed at the turian's parting words as they neared the elevator.

"So, how are you? Really?" Tali murmured quietly, hitting the button. Anya glanced back to her.

"I'm...okay. I won't pretend I'm super happy about the chocolates thing, but it's not the end of the galaxy. I can't bring myself to be mad at him for something he didn't know about."

"Still, I could understand you being frustrated." The door opened.

"I feel like...annoyed is closer. A little guilty, too, if I'm being honest," Anya admitted softly as they stepped in together. "Dr. Michel is apparently better at giving my boyfriend romantic gifts than I am."

"Oh, Shepard, I'm sure it's not that bad." Tali hit a button, and Anya sighed.

"I've gotten him a bunch of shit for his guns, but I have never given him anything like those chocolates."

"Well, has he ever asked?"

"No. I haven't either, but still. Maybe I should up the ante on the romance. Show the big guy I appreciate him, you know? He at least tries to do stuff for me." The door opened and the pair stepped out and Anya took a breath.

"You'll feel better once you have some food in you. What kinds of things has he been doing?" Tali asked as they made their way over to the mess area.

"He tried to plan a really nice date night for us the day Cerberus wanted to hit the Citadel. We had a little make-up lunch that was sweet, but he genuinely wanted to do the whole dinner by candlelight thing when he was getting it set up the first time. He's way better at the romantic side of things than I am. Maybe if I tried to get better at the lovey-dovey stuff, I'd have actually gotten flowers or something once in my life."

"I mean, I'm sure you've gotten something," Tali ventured.

"Practical stuff, like what I've been doing with him. I think I need to do some homework."

"Oh?"

"Well, he only accepted the sweets because it didn't even occur to him that there were social implications. What kinds of gifts would he probably think are romantic?" Anya mused.

"Oooh, that's a good point."

"So, I'm going to research a few things, and hopefully get some ideas. Wanna help me plan later?" Anya asked with a grin.

"Keelah, yes. I'm in."