Chapter 51

Anya felt her heartbeat quicken when her omni-tool beeped. She saw that it was a message from Garrus and opened it quickly.

Are you going to be out and about much longer?

She shook her head at that, stepping forward with Tali when the line they were in moved forward a few paces.

I'm not planning on running into Zaeed again, I promise.

"Is he getting impatient?" Tali asked, and Anya snorted.

"In his defense, I did almost get shot the last time we were here...a couple of times."

"Kee'lah, when did this happen?"

"That's not important right now," Anya joked, and the other woman laughed.

"You're insane, Shepard."

"Only a little." She heard the sound of another message as the line advanced again.

You're never planning on trouble.

"Was he upset that we didn't invite him?"

"No, not really. He just told me to have fun and message him if I got back to the ship first. He said he had a few errands he needed to take care of, so I asked him to tell his other girlfriend that I send my regards. He told me that was no way to refer to the Primarch where other people could hear," Anya said quietly as she typed, and Tali laughed.

I'm planning on getting in trouble when I get home. Does that count?

"How may I help you?" The salarian clerk said as the last of the customers in front of the pair moved off to the side, and the women stepped up together.

"Just getting these bad boys," Anya murmured, placing her items on the counter.

"Yes, ma'am." After a beat, he hesitated. "I hope this doesn't come off as rude, but are you aware that you're purchasing a product from our dextro line?"

"I am, I'm planning for it to be used on someone else, no worries," Anya assured him, and his gaze darted to Tali.

"But of course. My apologies." Tali started snickering at that, and Anya blushed.

"Not what I...oh, whatever. Keep the change." Anya placed the credits in his hand and snagged the bag. Tali's shoulders were still shaking with laughter as they walked out of the store together, and they started down the wide walkway towards the elevator that would take them to the docks.

"Keelah, that was funny," Tali said, and Anya snorted.

"I feel like we have different definitions of funny. That was just awkward."

"Please, that was absolutely funny. We'd make a cute couple, Shepard," Tali insisted, and Anya felt her own laugh bubble up.

"Yeah, like I need to be not the pretty one in two different interspecies relationships."

Tali giggled outright. "To be fair, Garrus is fairly cute, no?"

"Lord, don't say that."

"I didn't mean anything by it. I promise I don't want to steal your man," Tali blurted, sounding worried.

"No, I mean if he hears you call him cute, he's going to protest and grumble about 'rugged' or 'handsome' or something. If you want to annoy him, you may as well tell him he's very pretty," Anya advised, and Tali devolved into laughter again, though another beep from her omni-tool drew her attention downward.

Now I'm antsy about you getting home for a different reason.

She snorted before responding.

You should take a shower.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with him," Anya murmured fondly as they made it to the elevator and hit the button.

"You two kill me sometimes," Tali said happily.

"Ugh, I know. He's almost nauseatingly perfect for me." She knew she was still smiling as the doors opened and they stepped inside. Tali hit the button for the docks and they waited as the doors closed. The next message that chimed made Anya grin.

I am not taking a cold shower.

She was quick to respond.

I never said a cold shower. Also, you shouldn't get dressed when you're done getting clean. I may be back before you're finished.

"Do I even want to know?" Tali asked playfully.

"That depends. How much information is too much, again?"

"Then no, no I do not." Anya snickered. Her omni-tool went off again.

I can be out of the shower in two minutes, don't trifle with me, woman.

The doors opened and the pair stepped out, Anya typing as they stepped off to the side.

We're at the docks, you should hurry up and start.

"You're going to give him a heart attack," Tali warned with another laugh.

"He's a resilient young man, I think he'll pull through," Anya joked as they started towards the Normandy. "Besides, I need to give him a heart attack in a good way every once in a while."

"I hope he appreciates it."

"Fingers crossed. God, I hope he likes this."

"What are you even worried about?" Tali asked.

"What if this isn't his thing, or what if I suck at it? What if he likes the idea, and I do okay, but he hates this scent?"

"Don't be a bosh'tet, you're overthinking this. Your relationship isn't going to end just because you maybe picked the wrong massage oil."

"I just want to make sure I'm actually doing something nice for him, not just doing something to make me feel good that I tried," Anya murmured as they approached the ship.

"Look, you said he does it for you, right?"

"Yeah."

"And we both know he's just going to be happy you were thinking about him, right?" Tali pressed as the door opened and they stepped inside.

"I mean, yeah, but-"

"No. Stop it. Bad Shepard." Tali sounded severe.

"I am not a misbehaving pet," Anya said, annoyed as they waited for the decontamination cycle to finish.

"If Garrus wanted to put a collar on you, you'd let him, but I digress." Tali waved it off as Anya's ears heated. "Look, sometimes things go wrong, but what normally happens when things go wrong with you two?"

"I mean...not much. We talk about it, if it's a between us thing. We figure something else out if it's an everything else thing."

"Exactly! Like when your dinner fell through, I'm sure you were a little disappointed, but…"

"We made something else work," Anya admitted as they finally passed through, making their way to the elevator.

"And were you upset with him?"

"No, it wasn't like it was his fault."

"How did you feel about it, while you were at lunch?" Tali asked, sounding pleased.

"I just felt...glad we could do something normal for an hour, and glad that I could steal him away from all the people and pressure and work. Glad to have him all to myself for a bit."

"Now, I don't know about you, but don't you think he's going to be just as glad that you want to have him all to yourself again?"

"You...have a point. Thank you, Tali," Anya said sincerely, hitting the button to summon the platform.

"You are welcome. You should take the first one, I'm sure he's about to lose his mind waiting for you."

"Are you sure?" The doors opened.

"Keelah, yes. Go," Tali insisted, and Anya stepped inside. "Oh, and Shepard?"

"Yes?" Anya hit the button.

"Just remember, I always meddle the perfect amount."

"What did you do?" Anya's voice was accusatory, but all Tali did was wave as the doors closed, and Anya felt her heart start racing as she ascended. She pushed her nerves away as she passed through both doors, and she stopped dead in her tracks.

Lying on her desk was a vibrant bouquet, the stems wrapped carefully in white paper. She hesitated before putting her bag down and reaching out, picking the flowers up almost reverently. She inhaled the heady aroma, still carefully cradling the blooms, just before the bathroom door opened and Garrus stepped out, towel around his hips.

"Hey, sweetie," he murmured, reaching for her. She let him pull her in, careful to keep the bouquet off to the side a little so they didn't get crushed.

"You got me flowers," she managed, and he chuckled.

"I did. I hope these are okay, I didn't realize how...into plants your people are. I had no idea that basically all of them have meaning, or that the meaning could change just by going with a slightly different color. I'm pretty sure I learned more about the botany on Earth in an hour than most turians learn in a lifetime," he joked, and she nodded.

"Thank you," she whispered thickly, and he pulled back to look at her, concern in his gaze.

"Are these...alright? I didn't mean to upset you, sweetie. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I just...this is the first time someone's ever...these are perfect. I love them."

"Are you sure they're okay? You look like you're going to cry," he said softly, and she nodded.

"I'm sure. I'm just getting emotional because this is really sweet. These are wonderful, I promise."

"Okay. Good. Is there...anything I can do to help?"

"Not really," she said with a laugh. "But, I would love for you to educate me."

"Oh?"

"Unfortunately, I do not have the meanings or names of most flowers memorized. I know the roses, but what about these?"

"Mmm, delphiniums. They mean protection, encouragement, and joy. These blue ones also mean...dignity, I think? Hang on." He carefully reached for the small card that was hidden towards the back of the bouquet, plucking it out with ease and peering at it. "Yes, dignity. That part might be a bit of a stretch for us, but I liked the color, and the rest of it fit pretty well."

She laughed at that. "I'm sorry, even the flowers you give me want me to stay out of trouble?"

"Yes. If you won't do it for me, do it for the pretty plants."

"I'll think about it. For the flowers." He chuckled at that before handing her the little piece of paper.

"I haven't even told you what the roses mean yet."

She glanced at the card, reading the small neat script on the top half with her head resting on his shoulder.

Red roses - Beauty, Courage, Passion, Respect, True Love

She could hear her heart pounding in her ears, and it was all she could do to say, "Oh."

"Now, I know how much you like red, but the symbolism was spot on for the roses, I think." She nodded, tears now burning her eyes. "I know waiting for the words has to be getting old, I just...hope that the things I do reassure you that just because I haven't said it, doesn't mean I don't feel it."

"I know," she croaked. "Your actions tell me everything I need to know."

"Good." He sounded almost relieved as he squeezed her, and she drew in a shuddering breath. He pulled back and gently nudged her temple with his forehead. "You do like the flowers, though?"

"I love them," she affirmed, turning and standing on tiptoe to press her forehead to his more firmly, and he let out a pleased hum.

"I'm glad." A quiet moment passed before he cleared his throat. "So, did you and Tali have fun?"

"We did. I...I got something I wanted to show you, but don't get too excited. I can already tell you that your present was better."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Here." She pulled away and offered the bag that she'd discarded before, and he took it, peering inside.

"What are these?" he asked, pulling out a plastic box that contained four items that resembled heavy thimbles.

"Well, you know how you've started rubbing me down on a pretty regular basis?" she asked, her voice light.

"Yes. I love how you make it sound like I'm minding livestock," he deadpanned.

"Oh, hush, don't be difficult. Anyway, I can put these bad boys over my fingertips and maybe see if I could return the favor. Even picked up some oil for in between the plates."

"Oh, hell, yes. When did you want to start?"