"So Vakarian, what have you been up to the past couple of years?"
"Oh you know, pissing off all the major merc organizations on Omega."
"Now, how did you pull that off?"
"It wasn't easy, I really had to work for it."
He huffs in a half laugh.
Walking to a table in a small café, they sit down at a table in a corner. An asari waitress hands them glasses of water and menus before walking away.
"We interrupted their operations, intercepted the shipments and what not. They became rather pissed off and well, you know what happened."
"You mention we but you never really mentioned who 'we' are. Care to tell me about your team?"
'"There were twelve of us, including me. They wanted to help Omega much like I did. We met in Afterlife and through connections. What can I say, you were quite the influence with the group you created to stop Saren."
She blushes slightly at the last sentence. Jane knew she made an impact on her crew but she didn't think turning a respectable turian into a vigilante would be one of things. Part of her felt upset that it went the route it did for him but…
"I'm flattered you look up to me that much but never thought you would pass up specter training for that."
"Too much beaurocratic bullshit with red tape and restrictions. Omega sounded like I could make more of a difference. I guess I did but I'm not too sure anymore."
"I would say so, Garrus. You did good."
"You sure? I got my entire squad killed from one fucking mistake."
"Care to tell me what happened? I can wait if it's too fresh for you right now."
"No, it's okay Shep. Another turian on our squad named Sidonis sold us out to one of the merc groups. He separated me from the rest of them on a false recon mission and when I returned to our base, everyone was murdered…except one named Sidonis who wasn't with the rest of the squad. Their deaths weren't quick, either. Weeks later I found Sidonis leaving Omega. Knowing he's guilty just….it doesn't feel right. Those ten people deserve to be avenged. They were proper people, people who actually gave a damn about helping those in need."
He looked down at the placemat on the table. His glass of ice water soaking a corner of it with its condensation. His talons grab the glass and he takes a drink, his mandibles clanking against the glass while brushing away small water drops.
"I feel that way for letting Ashley die on Virmire."
"She made a choice to sacrifice herself for the better good. My group didn't."
"They also knew what they were getting themselves into but I see your point."
"As do I with yours."
Shepard grips her straw and sips, never leaving Garrus' face. His eyes glow in a sad light. She sighs and the waitress returns to take their order. Jane grabs his hands and rubs her thumbs over his knuckles gently.
"What happened was not your fault, Garrus. You did what you thought was right and people always fuck that up for the innocent. You'll get a chance to avenge them, I promise."
"Thank you. If I get a lead on him, I'll let you know."
"Please do."
His shoulders and their tension lessen at her words. His eyes soften and look into hers.
"Now that I complained about my problems, care to talk about yourself to Doctor Vakarian?"
A giggle leaves her lips and she tucks some of her short bobbed hair behind her ear.
"You know about the fate of the SR1. Well, I was spaced. I ejected Joker to safety and the collectors hit us again and ruptured my suit. It felt as though someone shoved a vacuum hose down my throat and sucked all air out of my lungs. Part of me felt at peace for this since the rest of the crew was safe but I couldn't help not to panic. I still had shit I had to do, I didn't want to die. Soon, everything turned black. Then I woke up to a man and Miranda above me on a table. Blackness coated my eyes again and I dreamed for the first time in my coma."
The condensation-coated glass takes the roughened squeeze from her hand.
"I saw you and the rest of the Normandy crew having the time of your lives. It felt surreal, as though I was actually there."
She takes a sip from her glass.
"Then when the mechs started to attack the base, I was woken up and that's how I found out I was now working with Cerberus for the time being."
He remained silent.
"After leaving the base, we left for Freedom's Progress. There we met Tali with a small group who were looking for their friend Veetor. We found him and he showed us security footage of the collector attack. Tali left for the migrant fleet once again and then we recruited you."
"Did Tali seem alright? I haven't seen her since your funeral."
"I think so…She couldn't believe I was alive and honestly, neither could I and still can't. Everything we did on the SR1 feels like it happened two weeks ago, not two goddamn years ago."
"Shepard, I know I can speak for Tali as well here. We missed you and we're glad to have you back."
He now strokes the knuckles on her tiny hands to comfort her. He debates to give her a hug but in such a public place with his commanding officer, he decided otherwise
"I'm glad two are. I'm a little worried about others to be honest. I wonder what ever happened to the rest of our crew like Wrex, Liara, Kaiden…well, maybe not that last one."
"Do I sense a want to gossip, commander?"
She smirks.
"Maybe. Brutally honest is something I strive to be since sugarcoating things tends to hurt people more in my experience. I thought about sleeping with him before Ilos."
Her smirk widens as she notices his eyebrow plates rising in slight surprise.
"Why I'm surprised you thought about fraternization."
His words soaked in sarcasm.
"Oh hardy har har. I think it's silly that's a thing in the Alliance. The turians have the right idea with sparring and getting down before a mission. I think they should reconsider their rules at times."
"I don't think Cerberus shares that restriction but then again, I could be wrong."
"Now that's something to keep in mind. How did the sparring end up going down on your past ships? I heard it's almost a form of foreplay but then again, I could be wrong."
The waitress approaches the table and hands them their plates of food. Whatever Garrus ordered was an enigma to Jane. The colors looked like a cat's vomit but it didn't smell as bad. She ordered a pasta dish that smelled strong of garlic, her favorite kind. He seemed intrigued by the intestine-appearing dish in front of her.
"What in the spirits is that?"
She twirls noodles around her fork.
"It's fettucine alfredo. It's hard to mess it up so I thought it was a safe bet for a new place."
"Understandable reasoning."
"That's what I thought."
"So, about your question about turian operations. Sparring was full contact but of course supervised. We can't risk injuries before an important mission. I remember one time it was me against and a demolition specialist on our squad. She was one of the best when it comes to hand to hand combat. It was known that so was I. However, she had flexibility but I had reach. A tie-breaker was called for and she suggested we hold it in her quarters. She still had her flexibility but my reach was better. So I guess you can say that sparring, is indeed, a form of foreplay."
Shepard's eyes widen and pasta sauce leaks from her mouth slightly. Swallowing her bite and licking the mess from her lips, she continues to stare.
"Which aspect peaked your interest?"
His toned switched a little flirtatious. This kind of banter wasn't unsual back in the day but it still caught her a little off guard.
"I suppose both did, Vakarian. But the reach is something worth checking out if it's as great as you say it is."
His brow plates are even more raised and she can't help but full on laugh.
"Well maybe we should try sometime. I don't think Chakwas would like it if I were to ruin her handy work too early."
"I don't even want to think of all the shit she would give me for it."
A few more bites are taken and Garrus sets is fork down in preparation for a question.
"Well, since we had a nice little chat about my sex life. Would you mind sharing something from yours? I mean, it's only fair."
"I suppose you have a point. Let's see…."
She twirls noodles around her fork as she thinks, her brow furrowing slightly.
"There was this one guy I had a fling with during shore leave a few years back. Let's just say that was the beginning of my xenophiliac reputation. He was Turian, his fringe was a little longer than most and the family markings across his face were the most beautiful shade of green. They matched his eyes. He was gentle with me for the most part, pretty sure he was used to asari. I didn't expect us to be so compatible biologically. It was very, eye opening in more ways than one if you will."
His mandibles twitch in a giggle and he looks at her dead on.
"You know Shepard, despite us being apart for two years…it's nice being able to chat with you like we used to. You're just about my only friend left in this goddamn galaxy and I'm glad Cerberus chose to not change you."
"As am I, Vakarian. Also, if you want, feel free to use my first name. I don't really give a damn anymore when it comes to my friends. However, Cerberus needs to kiss some major ass to be even remotely tolerable."
"I'm tolerable? Why I'm honored."
She slaps his shoulder as they step away from their table and he smiles at her again. Jane can't remember the last time he was this happy. His mood was contagious.
"We have some time to kill, would you like to come with me to get Kasumi? After maybe we can catch the hanar's rendition of Hamlet. Heard it's 14 hours that will change your life."
"I will have to politely pass on that, I've had enough life changing to last me…well, another life time."
"Understandable. So, care to meet me on the Normandy then?"
"I'll be in the main battery. The weapon systems caught my interest."
"So calibrations are more interesting than a hanar poetry reading? So disappointed…"
His talons land gently on her shoulder and he shakes his head, waving as he leaves for the ship. With a smile on her face, she heads for the kiosk the Illusive Man spoke of in his message.