There is a lot more that goes into taking down smuggling rings than just actually stopping the movement. And that's especially true when the smuggling deals in humans. Logistics has to be part of the equation if we're going to continue dismantling the Blue Suns' human trafficking and slavery operations. And if there is one operation I am personally dedicated to taking down on this hellish station, it's that one.

I see Melody's face in every child we stop them from taking or selling. I can hear Talitha screaming, can see Shepard caught in a nightmare every time we break girls and women out of cages or boxes. And it happens far too often.

So if we're going to destroy the trafficking operations once and for all, we need to hit them from every angle. That means logistics, and some of my team specializes in that; Pem, Akart, and Yom'Jenna are experts in making very large machines - like the shuttles the Suns want to use to transport innocent people into the sex slave trade - fail to work. It also means financial, and information from Liara ends up being extremely useful for that; Devon threatens to bathe naked in chits from all the credits we take from them.

And that leaves their leadership. Liara comes in handy there, too, especially when combined with what we know from Aria. The gangs like to hide who is running them, and where those leaders live, how they move around, what they're directly involved in. With help from both Asari and using our surveillance network, I learn that while the Blue Sun leader, Tarek, is almost untouchable and never participates directly in their ops, his brother is a different story.

Jaedal isn't just Tarek's brother, and he's not just a key player in the entire Blue Suns organization. He is the point man for any and all of the Blue Suns human sex slavery and trafficking operations. The trail to prove that starts, oddly enough, on Ilium. That planet prides itself, much like the Asari who settled it, as the jewel of the galaxy, but I'm finding scum under the glitter without having to dig very far. Jaedal has been visiting Ilium to scope out, groom, and take innocent people who run out of money on Ilium into slavery. Including a fourteen-year-old girl last week that he...kept.

It's going to be a pleasure to put a bullet directly between his eyes.

Setting up an operation, and coordinating a team of 12 - including me, not including Devon or Liara - is becoming second nature. I know this team. I know their strengths, and I know what they prefer to do. I know who they work best with, who get they distracted by. And I know that they're loyal to me. Setting up an operation in front of someone who used to watch the great Commander Shepard set up ops is more than a little intimidating.

I do my best to avoid Liara's gaze all day, even though she's hovering. And I can't complain about the hovering since she's been so helpful. I should be able to complain about her cleavage distracting at least half my team all day, but I can't blame them for that. Mostly because I'm having a little trouble not being distracted too. The fact that Aria has chosen today to torture me with pictures far more graphic than Liara's top could ever manage is not helping.

There is a part of me, however, that is...almost proud of myself. I'm finally getting honestly and truly aroused by and attracted to other women. Not just out of spite or a primal need to fuck something but because of attraction. I wasn't sure that would ever be possible, not with a dead bond-mate. But it's happening. And that has to be a good thing.

It'd be nice if I could be attracted, be aroused, without feeling at least a little guilty for it.

What would Shepard think of this? A woman texting me pictures of herself that are far less than tasteful, my eyes managing to find Liara's tits wherever they are in the room all day... Would she be mad? Jealous?

And then the inevitable scolding myself because who gives a shit if Shepard would be mad? She isn't here. She forfeited a say even before she died, but she is dead. And if I'm going to survive, I should get to enjoy at least some of it. Almost two years after and I barely manage normalcy most days. Shepard would definitely not be happy about that.

"You OK?" I startle when Sidonis plants his hand on my shoulder. His hand shifts to the back of my fringe which he cups affectionately. It's odd, after not having been touched that way for so long, but I don't find that I want to resist it. He's a good friend. "What the story with that one?" he asks, sitting beside me and motioning with his gaze toward Liara. "If I didn't know more of the story, I'd think she was the girl you lost."

"No, definitely not. But...they were close enough that she's bringing up memories."

He makes a soft sound, deep in his chest. "Memories and something else, I think. You know, it's normal, right?" I frown at him and his subtones become almost aroused. Almost. They're still mostly sad, and I kind of appreciate it. It doesn't make me feel pity. "To want that comfort. That...connection. For both of you."

"No, I don't know that it's normal. And I don't think I could ever touch her without seeing...her."

"What's so wrong with that?"

Now I openly scoff at him. "Sidonis, everything is wrong with sleeping with a woman while you're thinking of another one."

"OK, fine, let me reword it. What's so different about that than every other woman, man, and Drell you've slept with for the few months?" He gives me a hard look that keeps me from objecting. That keeps me from lying.

He's not wrong. Every one of them has had something that was...Shepard-esque. With Aria, it's the attitude. Sometimes it's the dancing or even a scent. With Liara...it's feeling like she is Shepard. Because she knows Shepard. Hell, she joined with Shepard. Maybe if I... No.

"Don't separate the Drell, that's rude to him." Sidonis laughs at my super weak attempt at diversion but doesn't push it and follows me off the couch. I sat down to clean my rifle, and now I'm done.

I'm ready to go. I'm ready to kill.

I am not ashamed of ordering the crew to take their time with taking down Jaedal's crew, and Jaedal himself. We could have ended it pretty quickly; my rifle could have had Jaedal down before he ever saw us coming. But these assholes work in capturing people, stripping them of all their power and all their dignity, and then selling them to the highest bidder. They put children into sex work. So I take pleasure in putting several bullets into Jaedal, to ensure a slow death.

He dies screaming, and I have no regrets. I only wish I could be there when Tarek learns that his brother is dead and the magnitude of the hit his smuggling operation just took. I hope Tarek knows that this moves him to the top of my list.

The team is rejoicing, celebrating, and they should be. It's a big deal. And I consider taking an open invitation with Aria to celebrate. Until Liara stands in front of me with a bottle of very expensive whiskey from Palaven that she most definitely did not get on Omega. "Share a drink with me?"

It starts that way. Simple and innocent, sharing a bottle. It starts easy. Liara is a lot more engaging and charming than I remember her being. She makes me laugh. It's nice to be able to share stories and memories without just horrible pain. Even with a little happiness. Bittersweet, sure. But I haven't had any sweet in a long time.

My crew gets too rowdy in the living room, and it's either the whiskey or the nostalgia that convinces me to take Liara into my room so that we can finish our bottle in private. It seems like a good idea at first. I can hear her, I can talk without an audience - even of people I trust. And I can ignore the way Devon looks at me before the door shuts.

At least until Liara touches me. It's like I blink and her hand is suddenly on my thigh. It's warm, soft, and comforting. Familiar. But...it's Liara.

She sees my decision before I even make it and jerks her hand back, almost hiding it behind her on my bed instead. "I'm...I'm sorry. That was inappropriate."

"No, Liara, it's...it's OK. I just. I can't."

"I understand." She forces out a little laugh, her face still flushed. "I can look at you and see something else, Garrus. I look at you, and I..."

"See her."

Liara nods, and something in my chest clicks together. She's suffering in a similar way. Grieving someone that she lost, grieving being lonely because that loss was our entire crew. The family we had. And I have a new one now, but it'll never be the same.

And I can have other people in my bed now, but it'll never be the same.

But Liara…

I want that comfort. I want to feel close to Shepard, and I want to know that someone else who feels close to Shepard and is also hurting is getting the comfort. And that's how my hand ends up on Liara's thigh. That's the unspoken agreement. It's not about Liara, it's not about either of us. It's about comfort. Comforting each other over a loss that we share.

There's something familiar about Liara, even if she's not exactly who I want. But it's the unfamiliar things that let me relax. Liara is shy. She's a little tense and a lot cautious, and it's different from anyone else. Even when Shepard was self-conscious, she knew what she was doing. Liara needs instruction. Liara wants to completely submit. And while sometimes I enjoy a challenge, tonight...tonight, I need this.

Liara needs it too if the way she enjoys it suggests anything. The meek Asari professor never flinches or shows fear, and I don't push her for anything too crazy, but she lets me take whatever I need. And she gives it willingly.

And the entire time, she's there comforting me. There are times when I'm with Aria that I lose focus. That I see a little too much of the other person, the one I'm supposed to be with, and Aria knows how to ground me. She knows how to bring me back, how to touch or scratch or pull to snap me back into the present. It works, it's effective. But with Liara...her methods are softer. Gentler. Comforting.

She nuzzles her face against the side of mine, she runs her fingers between the ridge of my fringe, she tugs the tags that hanging between us gently. It's not a rejection of Shepard, it's an acceptance of what this is.

And what this is...is a little awkward. Yes, it's nice to be so comforted. To be close to Shepard, and also to Liara who has been a friend. But it's a little underwhelming overall. And that's a little frustrating. I wanted comfort and a connection. I got exactly one of those. Liara and I do not have a sexual connection, not by any stretch of the imagination. Liara has an orgasm and I still feel lacking. We just...don't connect.

That's probably for the best, though. There isn't a future here, there is nothing meaningful happening. I'm bonded to a dead girl and leading a hit squad on Omega, Liara has a career on Illium. And really, it would be too weird. But knowing that the sex is lackluster at best helps. She's going to leave, and I'm going to appreciate what we did here, but I won't have to miss her. I won't grieve her.

I needed this. I needed the comfort, I needed to be close to someone from that phase of my life even if just for a short period of time. By the next morning, when Liara is getting on a shuttle off of Omega, I feel somehow more secure as Archangel. In getting closer to that part of my life, I manage to find a way to truly leave it behind. Omega is my life now, Archangel is my future.

I'm going to see out my mission here. I have a lot to do, my whole team has personal missions that they need to complete. I'm aware that it will end, and then I'll have to decide what to do next. I'll have to figure out what comes of Archangel when Omega doesn't need an Archangel anymore. But I also assume that I have a while. We're making progress, sure, but we aren't working miracles.

Unfortunately - somehow more unfortunate than the extremely unfortunate sex - Liara isn't seeing things the same way. I didn't regret the sex during when it was awkward and after when it was sad, but now I regret it. Now, when Liara is clinging.

"I could stay," she offers, not looking at me. She looks up when I don't answer; I don't answer because I don't know how to react to that. "Or I could at least come back. Visit sometimes."

"No one is supposed to know I'm here, Liara."

Her gaze hardens just a little. "Being an information dealer means that not only am I skilled at finding secrets but at keeping them."

"Liara…" I shake my head, unsure of what to say. Usually, when I want to break things off with a fling, I can be cold. Removed. But this isn't a normal fling. I don't have feelings for Liara, but she is a friend. She was Shepard's friend. I don't want to hurt her.

It's a risk I have to take, though.

"You have to go. And you have to stay gone." I keep my voice firm but not hard. I have a point to make but not a heart to break.

"But, I - " She reaches for me, and when I take a step back to prevent the touch, Liara falls quiet, and her hand drops back to her side.

"There's nothing here for you, Liara. Go back to Ilium. Go back to your life." Judging by the look on her face, I both made my point and broke a heart. It tugs at something inside me and the guilt burns like acid. "I'm...I'm sorry, Liara. But it's better this way."

She hugs herself, glancing around like she thinks anyone on this station cares about anyone else. "I just...it's nice to have someone who can give you some comfort." She looks up at me and asks, "Isn't it?"

"I can't give you that. I don't have anything to give. It all…" I take a breath, trying to decide how much I want to divulge. How much I can handle saying. "It was all for her. It's all gone now."

I don't meet her eyes anymore, choosing to stare at the shuttle she needs to be on instead. Liara watches me, silent and pensive or pissed or...I can't tell. I don't know if it matters. I'm never going to see her again after this.

"Will you be safe, Archangel?" she asks finally, her voice still sad but resolved. Safe enough for me to look back at her.

"I can't promise that. I have a station to uproot." She smiles when I do, and I think it's genuine. "You be safe, Professor."

She laughs at that. "I will."

I don't move to hug her. I had originally wanted to, thinking it a good way to say goodbye, but now I'm worried it'll send mixed messages. Liara thought last night meant more - or would mean more - than it did. I didn't want more, but I did want a good parting from a good friend. Now... At least she's leaving.

And just like that, she's gone. That was probably the last bit of Garrus Vakarian. All I am now is -

"Archie!"

"How is it that you people keep startling me?" I ask, turning away from the docks to face Dhelem, who is practically running toward me.

"We got that bastard," he pants. He has to reach out and hold a railing to keep from collapsing.

"How fucking far did you run?"

Dhelem laughs but shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. We got Garm. We're gonna take down the Blood Pack."

Looks like I might be faced with next steps sooner than I expected.

Garm, Blood Pack's leader, is one of the meanest, nastiest people I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. Or at least knowing of. He's a massive Krogan, bigger than Wrex and several centuries younger. He's a bully, using his crew and their reputation to keep businesses under his thumb. And worst of all, he's sadistic; there are too many rumors about Garm letting his pet varren have its way with people that Garm doesn't like for me to believe that they're just rumors.

The rest of the Blood Pack operates under Garm's attitude and his morality. They're Vorcha and Krogan bent on destroying Omega and as much of the rest of the galaxy as they can through weapons deals and mercenary violence. Sick, violent, cruel. I find all of the gangs here and everything they do reprehensible, but Garm is especially disgusting. I want him dead.

Almost as much as Garm wants me dead.

I killed Jareth's brother, and Garm still hates me more than that guy. He started an extremely loud shadow campaign threatening Omega's citizens and shop owners if they so much as look at Archangel or one of my crew, nonetheless help us. Laying out a few of Garm's biggest fists convinced the people here that they needed to fear me a lot more than him. Garm took to blunt violence after that.

And that's how he trips up.

For all his bluster and bullshit, Garm is extremely secluded. He's almost never in public, and he does an excellent job of keeping his hideouts private; almost as good as we do. But he doesn't have my team. My team finds him, and it takes next to nothing to draw that angry bastard out.

That's how I end up fighting Garm, one on one, hand-to-hand in an alley. I did have back-up initially; Butler and Dhelem were here. And then one of Garm's guys shot Butler before I could put him down. I ordered Dhelem to take him to Dr. Mordin Solas. They both protested, of course, but Butler and his wife Nalah are having a baby, and I'm not about to have that baby grow up without a dad.

Fortunately, the guy I shot was Garm's only back-up, too. Less fortunately, Garm isn't stupid and doesn't bother getting into a shooting match with me. So we end up fighting the old fashioned way.. And as a good a fighter as Wrex was, he didn't have nearly as much to lose as Garm does. His honor alone is enough for Garm to fight like for his life, and that means I'm fighting for mine. Garm cannot win because he won't let me die quickly.

"Take that helmet off and let me see your face, you barefaced bastard," he snaps at me, spitting blood with every word from several solid hits to his mouth. Of course, he keeps regenerating. I can feel the helmet he's talking about getting tighter because of swelling on my face underneath it.

I enjoy that he thinks I'm barefaced, though. It reassures me that these assholes, the gang leaders here, have no idea who I really am. And keeping them from knowing that is truly the fight for my life. Archangel is as much shield as identity.

"Wanna look me in my eyes while I dismantle everything you've built, Garm?" I taunt him, deftly dodging a hammer-like fist coming at my ribs. He's gotten enough hits down there. He threw too much into the punch and I use his momentum to get a shot in on the back of his knee. Garm stumbles and growls but doesn't fall; tough asshole.

"You know my people are coming, right?" he snarls at me. "And then I'm going to dismantle you."

I scoff at him. "You need back up? Come on. Can't take on one little Turian all by yourself?" A low, feral growl from the end of the alley answers that question for me. The Blood Pack has arrived and all of a sudden, I have no chance in this fight. This won't even be a fight; I'll get massacred trying to take on four Krogan, their rabid varren, and a vorcha with a flamethrower. I look back at Garm and shake my head. "I'm disappointed in you."

"I'm going to be feasting on your meat by dinner time," Garm growls at me, wiping his mouth with a huge paw.

"Wow. Hey, I didn't know you were into me like that. Usually, the people who want my meat buy me a drink first, but, uh, you're a pretty special case." I use his surprise to my advantage and take a cheap shot - almost as cheap as calling back-up - and kick him in the quad as hard as I can. So hard it actually hurts my foot. Krogan don't have the Turian advantage of plating, so he goes down hard, almost screaming, and it's exactly the distraction I need. A well-placed smoke grenade, and then I'm out.

I get on my comms after taking a few weird twists and turns to make sure I'm not being followed. And I still don't take my helmet off. Dressed like this, full armor with the emblem that Kana created for Archangel, most people have the sense to give me a wide berth. "Dhelem. How's Butler?"

"Hey! You made it. Is Garm dead?"

"Nah, the bastard got back-up, and I had to bail. Is Butler dead, or are you trying to keep that a surprise for me?"

"Not dead," Butler says instead.

"Thanks to you having the sense to send him away," a woman chimes in. I've never spoken to Nalah on my comms before, but it's a safe bet that this is her. "You're my hero again, Arch."

I laugh at that and slip into a service tunnel, making sure the camera spots me so that Akart knows it's me coming and doesn't blow me up. "I'm not letting him get out of diaper duty that easy, Nals. Just get him back on my feet for me as soon as you can. Garm is going to be even angrier now."

"Oh, yeah? Does that mean you were winning?"

"Do you actually have to ask?" I can hear them laughing now that I've stepped through the hidden door of our apartment building, using a DNA scanner to get in; that was Akart's doing. I find them upstairs, on the balcony that overlooks part of the market district of Omega, each of them with a drink in their hand - water in Nalah's case.

I pull my helmet off and toss it aside before joining them, taking the whiskey from Dhelem and throwing it back. He takes one look at me and lets loose a loud, long whistle. "Damn, that Krogan did some dancing on your face, huh?"

"You should see the other guy." I don't stop until I reach Nalah, who is already reaching up to me with a broad smile. I let her take hold of my forearms and then brace myself so that she can pull herself up; the woman is a tiny thing, so I don't have to do much, but she doesn't like being picked up. Once she's standing, I pull her in for a hug, finally relaxing a little. "How are you feeling?"

"Fat. Hungry. Your Godchild is beating up my liver and lungs," she grumbles even while smiling and rubbing her hands over her bulging belly. They had to explain that whole Godfather thing to me a couple months ago, and while I may not share their beliefs, I know enough to know its a huge honor. Shepard would be proud.

"You look amazing." I bend just a little and bump my forehead against hers. I had to explain the sentiment behind that move, and I know she's honored by it now. Butler is beaming at me, too. He's also rocking a new sling on his arm. "And look at you." I smack him on the shoulder held in the sling, and he winces but isn't hurt enough to keep from kicking at me.

"So, Blood Pack hates us even more now?" Sidonis asks, joining us on the balcony. "Nicely done."

Caeria follows him out, and her subtones escalate into tragic concern when she spots me. The Turian dashes across the balcony before I stop her; I manage to catch Dhelem's eye and grimace, but he smirks and looks away. Caeria takes hold of my jaw and looks at the bruise I can feel forming on the side of my face. "Arch, you have to be careful!"

"I am careful." I push her hands away, gentle but firm. I'm always gentle but firm with her. It doesn't deter her; no one has ever pursued me so relentlessly and so subtly. She's never made a move, but her subtones say it all. The fact that she's practically standing on my feet says a lot, too. Generally, my best option to keep her at a distance is Devon because he's always just about on top of me as well but knows we're not ever going to fuck. "Where's Devon?"

"Not here," Sidonis answers with a shrug.

"He left this morning," Sertis replies, appearing in the doorway. "Few hours ago now."

I frown at that. "Where did he go?"

Caeria steps away from, evidently recognizing that she isn't going to get my attention right now. "We don't know. He's a big boy."

I scowl at her but can't snap before Butler interjects, "He probably went to work."

"He didn't plan to work today." I shake my head and pull up his Omni-Tool info, using the contact to call him. There's a nasty tasting acid rising in my throat and something unsettling sitting in my gut. Something is wrong. "He always tells me when he's going to work. Did you see him leave?" I ask Sertis.

He nods but then immediately frowns. "I...he got a message on his 'Tool. And then he left. I didn't think much of it, man. Should I have?"

"I don't know yet."

Dhelem stands quickly. "Let's get on the cams and find him." That helps. It's not just a solution, but it's coming from the other member of the team who has been here longest. Who has been close to Devon for longer than the others.

"Arch. We may not need the cameras." The ominous tone of Butler's voice makes me feel cold, and I whirl to face him but find him staring over the edge of the balcony. Below us is a busy pathway, a bridge from the residential to the market district of our area of Omega. That bridge isn't so busy right now, though. In fact, people are actively avoiding it. Because standing directly in the middle of that bridge are three Asari in Eclipse gear.

And they have Devon.

"Go get my rifle," I murmur softly to whoever might hear me. They'll find it near the door. I don't dare move, don't take my eyes off the Eclipse. Not while they have him.

Devon is standing between two of the Asari, but he looks wobbly. He's bruised, but worse than that, he's extremely high. Too high. Higher than Devon gets himself intentionally. They beat him, they drugged him, and now they've got him on parade in front of me.

"Archangel," one of them calls up to me. My rifle meets my hand and I shift to hold it without letting them see it. "You've taken a lot from the Eclipse Sisters, and they're getting pretty tired of it. But now we've taken something of yours. And now you have a choice."

"Which one of you to put down first? I've already made my choice. Care to venture a guess?" Our voices carry through the space with disturbing ease. The two of them holding Devon glance at one another; obviously, they know enough about me to know that this is very stupid. "Devon, can you hear me?"

He mutters something that sounds like my name, and the Asari leading this show laughs, walking in slow circles around the others with her. "Oh, he can't answer you. We've given Devon the good stuff."

"Remember the Batarians in the restaurant?" I mutter while the Asari monologues - because of course she monologues. I catch some drug jokes, some sex jokes. Sidonis slips up on my left and I hear a pistol cocking. "Distance?"

"I'll do it for Devon."

Good enough for me. I trust him.

"And we have a team heading for that pain in the ass doctor," the Asari is saying, "so you're not going to be able to fix precious little Devon here this time."

It's been more than a year since Devon overdosed. And it's not like the doctor keeps records, or there is any sort of public record on this station. But they know about Devon overdosing and that I took him to Solas for care.

"Sertis, take the C-Sec squad to the clinic. Get there now." I hear him moving away and Caertis does the same, joining him with the crew of Turian who used to work for C-Sec and are now on my squad. They'll get to the clinic and defend Mordin Solas...if he needs it. Part of me thinks they're going to get there and find dead Eclipse, but I have to be sure.

And I have to focus on Devon right now. They have Devon.

He wavers, his head hitting one of the Asari's shoulders before they jerk him back roughly. He can barely stand on his own. I can see from here that he's drooling. That is my best friend, and these bastards have him totally unable to protect himself. He's there because of me. This is my fault.

"What do you want?" I can't give it to them, whatever it is, but maybe I can get their guard down.

"Simple. We want you to back the fuck off," the Asari spits. "The Sisters don't give a shit what you do about the Pack or the Suns. Not our problem. But it's time for you to get off our back. You've caused more than enough trouble."

"Sad you can't handle me?"

The Asari forces a laugh and pulls out a pistol, turning and pressing the barrel to Devon's head. My heart plummets into my boots and my next breath is almost too hard to take in. Devon can't even jerk away from the gun.

"My command."

"Always," Sidonis whispers the confirmation.

"I want your word that you will back off," the Asari demands. "We have an operation tonight, which you are, of course, aware of." She's right; I have a crew prepared to disrupt it. "If that op goes off without a hitch and without any of your bullshit intervention, we will release this junkie whore back to you."

"Ready," I mutter, barely moving my mouth. I don't have to for another Turian. I'm trusting Sidonis to help me save Devon, but Devon's life is on me. And since at this point the Asari are holding him up, I'm running out of time.

"You have three seconds, Archangel."

"Set."

"Two seconds."

"Hit."

I don't have to aim my rifle. I know my weapon better than any part of my own body. When it comes into my hand, it's natural. And not having to aim means that I don't have to wait, don't have to hesitate, don't have to prepare.

The cool metal of the barrel hits my hand, and I pull the trigger twice, another pop immediately echoing them. All three Asari hit the ground, two dead with bullets in their heads and the third hit in the chest and no longer a threat.

And Devon hits the ground with them.

I drop my rifle and spin, running to the stairs that lead most directly down to the marketplace and barreling through the doors. I get to Devon in seconds, but I have no idea how late I am.

Too late.

I took out all three Asari, and I lost Devon. He dies in my arms, Dhelem's hand on Devon's heart, and our crew surrounding us. The rest of Omega doesn't notice, but we'll never forget him. My best friend and my crew's first fatality. We've lost Devon.

He dies, and I lose the only other person I've been able to love.

Now what?

***** Author's Note *****

I'm not saying that next week is the last chapter in this part of the story, but next week is the last chapter in this part of the story. I'll be posting the epilogue here and the new part...the Mass Effect 2 part! A reunion is comingggggggg.

As always, I'm so so so grateful you're reading and would love your comments.