Rebuilding Rannoch
Ch. 1 - Daybreak
Slow breathing. Sheets rustling quietly. The sound of mechanical shutters sliding open to reveal the sun. The smell of what could only be an alien's attempt at morning coffee, slightly acrid and burnt. Shepard smiles slightly through her sleep as she wakes.
"Garrus…" she mumbled to her husband. "Is... is that coffee?" "Um, yes?" he responded, his Turian vocals sounding slightly raised and harmonic. "I tried to do some research on the brewing of coffee for humans in the morning – I still can't seem to get the hang of it."
Shepard chuckled as she sat up on the edge of their bed. "Thank you" she responded "I'll take it from here." Walking to the kitchen, she surveyed the coffee maker for signs that it was still useable. Satisfied, she emptied the grounds, inserted a new filter and started a new pot. As soon as the liquid began filling the carafe, she stopped, motioned the Turian over and said "Take a smell… Now THAT'S coffee!".
The bird-like alien chuckled and smiled at her. "I still don't get it" he replied, "It just smells like dirty water to me." Amused, Shepard retorted, her face half-buried in the mug she just poured "Mmm, dirty bean water." This caused Garrus to snort, which in turn nearly caused Shepard to spit out her coffee, which then only devolved into the two laughing louder and louder for what seemed like an eternity.
After cleaning up the coffee mess they both sat down to breakfast, listening to the latest news from their respective fleets. Once they were done eating, they both cleaned up again and began to prepare for the day. This was not just any ordinary day – this was the first day of Shepard's new position as Admiral and Garrus' first day as General after their promotions, shore leave and wedding but they had no idea just how eventful this day was going to be…