CHAPTER 4

Author's Note: Sorry for the abnormally short chapter, but it felt appropriate somehow. Thank you to everyone who's reading.

Normal life for me was a farce. I'd been a soldier all my life. To be maneuvering through political drama: it itches like bitches. So many things to do and too many steps to do them. It did help that most of the Council members now were doers. It made putting up with the Asari and Delatrass Councilors easier. They still retained a few 'old school' ideals about how the Council operated.

It was also hilarious to have Javik sit in on council meetings remind everyone how infinitesimal and puny we had been in his time. Way to put things in perspective.

Through it all it helped to see that Garrus and I shared the need to get out in the field now and then. Even a scouting mission would have been welcome. We shared our need to get off station mostly when we met after work over a few drinks.

"You can't be serious! Those Quarians would never have made it past the bridge if I hadn't downed that Colossus."

"You!" I threw my napkin at the snickering Turian and took another sip of my milkshake. "I was kicking its legs out from under it even before you lined up your shots!"

Garrus leaned back languidly in his chair and smirked. "But I took the kill shot," he purred.

Rolling my eyes, I let my gaze run over the café and blinked when I saw a Turian female very clearly checking out my companion. "Mmmm. Speaking of which; there's a very spiky Turian lady with you in her sights."

The languid Turian Councilor suddenly gave a nervous trill and sat up straighter, the action making me smile which I carefully concealed behind my hand. "Way to be a lady killer Vakarian."

"Shut up Shepard," he grumbled and discretely turned his head to find he was indeed being ogled. "Damn." Swiveling around he seemed antsy.

"Garrus," I gently called out to him, unable to hide the smile. "What's going on with you?"

"I don't…" There was a soft whine, before he hunched over the table as if trying to disappear. "Spirits. I was really hoping to have a quiet dinner and a drink."

Looking up, I saw the female take a step towards us and I reached out and took my friend's hand with a lot more affection than was necessary. Garrus gave a start as I sifted my lips across his knuckles and sure enough, the Turian female paused then seemed to curse and disappear. Grinning up at him, I placed his hand back on the table and leaned back in my chair. "There. Crisis averted."

When Garrus only stared back at me slack jawed the odd effervescent confusion began to build in my gut. Brow furrowing, I crossed my arms. "What now?"

"Did you just…"

"Save you from being hit on? Yah!" I scoffed and looked away to see a few people watching us attentively. Equal parts awe and shock. "Fuck."

"Ahem." Garrus shifted in his seat before he was back to his sprawl, his mouth twisted into a wicked little Turian grin. "I think you've saved me from being hit on ever again."

I wanted to crawl into a little hole and die. This time though, for entirely different reasons.

And I couldn't stop blushing.

TO BE CONTINUED...