CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Threats and Keiji's Graybox

I apologize for the wait; I know it has been four months. I promise I never forgot about this story. I did make several attempts to convince my muse to cooperate with this story during the break but he was stubborn.

luckyrogue7, hope you enjoy your requested scene between Garrus and Hackett. Dierdreaes, hope you enjoy Kasumi's loyalty mission.


Garrus is waiting for Hackett outside the door. He watches dispassionately as the Admiral tenses. "A word, Admiral?"

Hackett scrutinizes the turian carefully before nodding curtly. He is not sure what Vakarian would want to speak to him about but from the turian's expression, it must be important. Hackett follows the turian into the Normandy's main battery. "What did you want to speak to me about?" he asks lightly.

Garrus not so discreetly locks the door and then turns his razor focus on Hackett. "Time after time, you thrust Shepard into danger with no thought of her life."

Steven's eyebrows rise, Vakarian is apparently furious. He opens his mouth to reply but the turian growls threateningly.

"Do you even care about her? Do you know how close she came to death today? She has already died once, are you trying to tempt fate and get her killed a second time? How could you send her in ALONE?! You asked her knowing she would never refuse." Garrus paces, fury making his movements appear sharp and violent.

Hackett watches the turian curiously like one watches a tiger pacing in a cage.

"Look at what you have done, you bastard! Do you realize the weight you have added to her shoulders? The annihilation of the batarian species! She has to live with that BECAUSE OF YOU!" Garrus rants.

While his expression does not change, Hackett's mind is buzzing. *Vakarian loves her. Look at him. It is written all over his face.* A trickle of fear skitters up his spine. Love can make people dangerous. It brings out a protectiveness that can overcome all senses.

"There are enough people out there trying to kill her. Your personal rescue mission has made her a villain! BECAUSE OF YOU even more will seek her blood. We NEED HER, YOU FUCKING BASTARD! Was it worth it?! WAS IT?!"

Hackett is stunned by the sight in front of him. He hasn't had much contact with Vakarian but he knows him by reputation and through Shepard. Hackett would never have imagined that the turian would lose control in front of, hell at him. Vakarian's fury is dangerous and Steven knows it. Nonetheless, he has no intention of talking about the mission with someone outside the Alliance. "The mission is classi—"

Garrus surges forward, shoving Hackett against the wall before he can react. He pins the human with his forearm pressing painfully into Hackett's throat. Garrus growls menacingly, baring his sharp teeth. "You do not understand, human. Without Shepard our universe is doomed. Completely and utterly doomed," the turian promises in a soft but eerily dangerous tone. "The Reapers are coming and she is the only one that can lead us. I will not continue to allow you to risk her life needlessly for your fucking missions! If you hadn't insisted on her going alone, all those innocent batarians may have lived."

Hackett is remarkably unfazed on the outside considering the deadly and furious creature in front of him and the powerful arm against his neck. But inside, dread is spreading rapidly. Vakarian's barely restrained fury has broken free. It would take only a twitch for the turian to snap his neck. "The mission was necessary. The information Dr. Kenson gathered could have been vital in fighting the Reapers."

"Could have been? COULD HAVE?! You've painted an even larger target on her back! They will be out for her blood with more fervor than ever before. How is Shepard supposed to fight the Reapers if she's fighting everyone?"

"Shepard is strong, she—"

Garrus pressed down harder, cutting off Hackett's air. "SHEPARD IS NOT INVINCIBLE!"

Choking, Hackett tries to pull Garrus's arm from his throat but he can't. The turian stares at him dispassionately as he struggles for breath, a shiver of deep-seated fear running through him. Vakarian seems willing to watch the life bleed from his body. Just as his vision starts to go black, Hackett is dropped and plummets to the floor like a sack of potatoes. He coughs violently and clutches his sore throat. Hackett looks up at Vakarian.

"I aim to ensure Shepard's survival, whatever the cost. Make sure you do the same, Admiral," Garrus threatens.

Hackett watches from the floor as Vakarian walks off without a backward glance. He closes his eyes and waits until he gets his breath back before picking himself up off the floor. Steven realizes how close he came to death and he has no doubt that Vakarian could kill him without remorse if it guaranteed Shepard's safety and survival. Hackett straightens his uniform and walks out with his head held high. He wants off this ship.

Walking toward the Med-bay, Garrus balls his hands into fists. The burden and guilt the bastard has laid on Lily and the colossal target the last mission put on her back makes a haze of pure fury overcome him. A large part of him wants go back there and rip Hackett apart with his bare hands but he restrains himself. Hackett will not soon forget his warning and if that makes him think twice before risking Lily's life, then it is worth it to keep him alive despite his bloodlust. Garrus takes several deep, calming breaths before walking in. Lily is staring at the floor, looking drained. "Come on, Lily. You need to rest." The emotion in her eyes makes his heart clench painfully. She is not only tired in body but in heart and soul. When Lily stumbles, Garrus picks her up, cradling her in his arms. She is too tired to care how it looks and rests her head on his shoulder as he carries her to the quarters they share.

Neither notices Hackett's eyes watching them leave. If he had any doubt before, he doesn't anymore seeing Vakarian carry an exhausted Shepard. Despite all that Shepard has accomplished, she has always had a problem with trust. She trusts very few people completely. Steven remembers hearing the stories about Shepard sleeping with a wicked knife and how easily she could awaken and put that knife against someone's throat. Seeing her, eyes closed and leaning against the turian with absolute trust is shocking. Hackett rubs his throat once more. Loving a woman like Shepard—well, he can't blame Vakarian for reacting the way he did.

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The next few days are relatively quiet. While she never says it out loud, Shepard needs the time to recoup and get her head on straight.

Kasumi finds Garrus in the Main Battery. He is surprised when she comes in uncloaked. She finds an unhealthy enjoyment in popping out of nowhere and scaring people throughout the ship. "Kasumi," Garrus greets.

"Garrus," she replies, inclining her head. "How is Shep doing?"

He looks up, as always a bit disturbed by the deep shadows created by her hood. He never truly sees her eyes and considering how much someone can learn from looking at someone else's eyes, it unbalances him a bit. Nonetheless, he knows that Kasumi cares for Shepard as all those on the Normandy do. "As well as can be expected; she's coping." The decimation of the batarian species is not something a person can simply shake off. No matter her history with them, Lily is crushed by the weight of batarians' probable extinction. She blames herself and a part of her probably always will.

"Do you think she'd be up for a mission?"

Garrus is grateful that she asked him first, not that he'd admit that to Lily. He only wants to take care of her but she is Commander Lily Shepard. She's been taking care of herself since she was sixteen. She may not need him but that won't stop him from trying to make her life easier. It is time that someone thinks of Lily first. Everyone is too used to relying on Shepard to do the impossible that they forget that Lily isn't immortal or invincible. She is human. People forget that she is mortal but Garrus can't. It never leaves his mind for a moment. "It might be helpful to get her mind off of things." He has a feeling that Kasumi can relate to a degree. Her love is gone, murdered, exactly what Garrus fears will happen to Lily.

Nodding her head, Kasumi states, "Good. It is time I got Keiji's graybox back and I need Shep's help to do it." Her lips curve in a bittersweet smile at the thought of her one and only love, Keiji Okuda. There are days that she doesn't know how to go on but the thought of reuniting with him, even in memories keeps her going. Kasumi can still remember the sound of his voice, warm and fond as he called her Little Bird. She'd give everything, her last breath to feel his touch just one more time.

This isn't the first time Garrus has heard about Keiji and his graybox. Kasumi's primary reason for joining Shepard was getting that graybox back. Garrus sympathizes with Kasumi. If he lost Lily again—Garrus shudders at the mere thought. He cannot imagine going through that again, not after what has happened. Lily is his yazani, his one and only. Living without her? No, he couldn't do it. Without Lily, what would he have to live for? Nothing. Life would be completely meaningless with her. Garrus understands why Kasumi would be driven to regain the graybox, filled with memories of their love and life together. Keiji is gone but with the graybox—well, perhaps Kasumi wouldn't feel as alone. "Talk to Shepard."

Kasumi smiles and cloaks, leaving without a word.

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Kasumi finds Shepard in the Medbay. At the sight of the seemingly random opening of the door, Shepard merely greets Kasumi hello, well used to her ways.

"Hi Shep," Kasumi greets without de-cloaking.

"Are we finished, Doc?" Shepard asks Chakwas.

Karin nods. Shepard is healing from the last disaster of a mission. Nevertheless, Chakwas is going to keep a close eye on Shepard. The pressure she is under is unrelenting and Karin fears it will only grow worse in the future.

Lily gestures vaguely to Kasumi to follow her. "Come on, Kasumi. Your room or mine?"

"Mine," Kasumi answers. They enter her room and lock the door. Kasumi finally de-cloaks. "I need your help, Shep. It is time to get Keiji's graybox back."

Shepard nods in agreement, "Okay. What is the plan?" She knows how important this is to Kasumi and she will do everything she can to help her get the graybox back.

"Leave it me, Shep."

Lily smiles at how happy Kasumi sounds. As strange as it sounds, she trusts the thief. Kasumi is loyal and Shepard values loyalty above most everything. A lack of loyalty is why she keeps Kelly at arm's length and why she'll drop Cerberus the instant they cease to be useful. Lily understands Kelly's loyalty to Cerberus on an intellectual level but Kelly is essential a spy. Her job on the surface is to help Lily and the Normandy's crew but under it all, Kelly's job is to report to the Illusive Man. Shepard shakes herself out of her thoughts. "Are you going to tell me anything about the mission before we leave?"

"Don't worry, Shep, I'll tell you what you need to know." Kasumi grins, knowing Shep isn't going to be thrilled by the outfit she's going to be wearing.

"Why does that not comfort me?" Shepard drawls. "I'll leave you to it then." Shepard wanders away, predictably finding herself at the Main Battery door. Walking in she can nearly feel the figurative weight ease from her shoulders. It has been years since she's felt that; she'd almost forgotten how it feels to trust someone enough to share her burden. Lily hasn't had someone like that since her family died. She does not know how she's lived this long without it but intends on savoring it. Lily is quickly drawn to Garrus's side.

"Hi, Love," Garrus greets as he wraps an arm around her.

"Hi, Big Guy."

Garrus shakes his head; 'big guy' seems to be Lily's new favorite name for him. The crew seems to find it hilarious, not that Garrus cares.

He continues to work, knowing that sooner or later she will start talking. They do not speak for several minutes, the two enjoying the easy comfort between them.

"Kasumi came to me. We are going to get Keiji's graybox back."

Garrus makes an agreeable sound. "When are we leaving?"

"I don't know. She hasn't told me anything yet."

"Let me know, okay?"

Shepard nods absentmindedly, "Sure." Although reluctant, she realizes she should probably check in with the others. She tugs Garrus's face down and they touch foreheads briefly, then she kisses him. Without a word, she pulls away and leaves.

Garrus watches her go, thankful to have her in his life. Lily Shepard is one of a kind and she's his—at least for now.

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A couple of days later, EDI announces that Kasumi is waiting outside their door. With Lily's permission, EDI unlocks the door and lets the thief in. Lily is checking her messages, while Garrus is lounging on the couch. "Hi Kasumi," Lily greets.

She smiles genuinely at her friend. "Hi Shep," Kasumi turns to Garrus, "morning, Garrus."

"Morning."

"How are things? Plans moving along?" Shepard asks.

"Yes, we should be ready tomorrow if we set course this morning. All I need is your permission and Joker will plot a course to our destination."

Shepard wastes no time messaging Joker with her okay.

"I have your outfit ready, Shep," Kasumi announces with a grin.

Lily eyes her suspiciously. "Why do I have a feeling I am not going to like this?" she mutters, mostly to herself.

Garrus flattens his mandibles in attempt to hide his amusement.

"Now, Shep, don't you trust me?" Before Shepard can answer, Kasumi opens the garment bag to reveal a dress. Lily glares at her; she isn't the dress kind of woman. Kasumi isn't intimidated, laughing at Shepard's displeasure. "Come on now, Shep, it isn't the end of the world."

"It's a dress," Lily pronounces, sneering distastefully at the garment. "A very short one."

"We're going to a society party, Shep. You can't show up in armor, now can you? And us short girls need short dresses to make us look taller."

Unfortunately, Shepard has to agree, at least about the necessity of a dress. It is why she only goes to fancy events when forced to. "Fine," she bites out. Shepard takes the offensive garment bag, holding it away from her body like it has personally offended her.

Kasumi snickers but leaves without a word.

"Why do I feel like this is simply a trick to get me into a dress?" Shepard asks herself aloud.

Garrus's mandibles twitch as he fights his amusement. "It can't be that bad, Lily. It is just a dress."

Lily glares at the turian. "Really, Garrus? And who is it that wears practically nothing but his armor? I wonder who that could be?" Shepard inquires pointedly.

Garrus laughs. "That's a turian thing. Besides, lots of females, human and otherwise, wear dresses. It can't be that bad."

"Really? Maybe I'll get you a dress and then you can tell me how it isn't that bad. Mmh, Garrus?"

"Whoa. The universe is definitely not ready for that, Lily. Plus, I don't have the legs for it," Garrus declares with a turian version of a smirk. "You, however, have fantastic legs."

Shepard laughs. "You're something else."

The turian smoothly rises and glides over to Shepard. He pulls her up from the chair. "You will look fantastic in the dress, Lily."

She waves off the compliment. "I don't care about that. The problem is I can't move naturally in a dress. Did you notice how short and tight it is? How am I supposed to fight in that thing?" Lily asks, glaring at the offensive dress in disgust. "I'd be better off tearing the thing off and fighting in my underwear!"

Garrus laughs at the image, easily picturing Shepard stripping the dress off without a care and battling barely clothed. "Let's try to avoid that," he says sardonically, his mandibles fluttering in amusement.

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The next day, they arrive at the drop off point. "We'll take a cab from here. Hock isn't an idiot and would notice a ship as famous as the Normandy dropping us off. The shuttle is out too, for the same reason," Kasumi explains. "Why don't you get dressed?"

Shepard still is not sold on the whole dress thing but grudgingly goes off to put the blasted thing on. She tugs the tight dress on, sniffing distastefully at the fit. Looking at herself in the mirror, Lily scoffs at her reflection. Sighing, she rolls her shoulders and pulls on a dignified and comfortable front. The women that go to society parties are at ease in dresses and she will look out of place if she appears uncomfortable in her own skin. Shepard turns as the door to her quarters opens and Miranda walks in.

"Looking good, Shepard," Miranda compliments her.

Despite wanting to mutter under her breath, she accepts the compliment with a dip of her head and a smile.

Miranda grins, knowing that under her mask, Shepard is miserable. "Let's do the finishing touches and you'll be ready. I'll make it painless, I promise."

Resigned, Shepard sits in her desk chair. "Have at it." Miranda combs her hair out thoroughly. She pins up most of Shepard's hair to get it out of the way and begins braiding. One side down, she does the same to the other. The two braids wrap around her head like a low crown, while the rest of her hair is gathered loosely behind her head. It's an effortlessly elegant hairstyle. Satisfied, Miranda starts on Shepard's makeup. Lily never wears makeup; she's beautiful without any, her ever present confidence serves to enhance her natural beauty. Miranda gives her a dramatic smoky eye to highlight her unique violet eyes while keeping her lips subtle. A bit of blush and Shepard is finished.

"Done. That wasn't so hard, now was it?" Miranda teases.

Shepard rolls her eyes. "Ha ha."

"You look hot, Shepard."

Lily laughs. "Sure," she responds, doubt clear in her voice.

"No, really. You are a knockout!"

Shepard shakes her head but goes into the bathroom to check herself out in the mirror. Her eyes widen in surprise, she does look hot. The makeup hasn't made her into another person as it sometimes can but merely enhanced her natural looks. The hairstyle is flattering and shows off her flawless skin. Her violet eyes sparkle brightly, full of light and intelligence. "Wow."

Miranda stands beside her and meets her eyes in the mirror. "Looking like that, you'll have men and women falling at your feet."

Shepard quirks an eyebrow, saying, "I'm not sure that's a good thing." She stares at her appearance, unsure whether she likes what she sees or not. This isn't how she sees herself. Admittedly, she rarely thinks about her appearance. Shepard knows that others find her appealing to look at but all she normally sees when she looks at herself in the mirror is herself. Nothing less and nothing more.

"Garrus will be drooling."

Lily wrinkles her nose at that, wondering to herself if Garrus will suddenly want her to look like this all the time.

"This is how Garrus always sees you. You are always beautiful to him," Miranda states.

The comment is far too perceptively for Shepard's comfort.

At Shepard's skeptical expression, Miranda promises, "Garrus won't be surprised by how good you look. Trust me, Shepard, I have seen how he looks at you."

"Like Thane looks at you?"

Miranda absolutely does not blush. "Perhaps," she answers simply.

Shepard smirks at the blush on Miranda's pale cheeks but says nothing.

The moment the elevator doors open, Shepard is barraged with wolf whistles from her crew, which she ignores as she meets Garrus's eyes. Like Miranda promised, he doesn't look shocked. Pleased, yes, but not surprised. "You look beautiful, Lily." Shepard smiles and accepts the hug he offers. For her ears only, Garrus says, "Be safe, Lily." He isn't happy to be left out of this mission or the fact that it will be merely Kasumi and Shepard alone but there is little he can do. He can't forbid her to go, trying that once made that abundantly clear.

"Always," Shepard vows. She eases back, accepting the ribbing and catcalls from her crew at her atypically fancy appearance for several minutes before getting back to business.

Garrus does not want to let her go without him at her back. He gently pushes the high collar of the dress aside, stroking the mark he'd made near her neck. Lily locks eyes with him, a wealth of information wordlessly flowing between them. Finally, Shepard breaks eye contact. "Ready, Kasumi?" Shepard asks, despite not being able to see the master thief.

Kasumi uncloaks, answering confidently, "Yes." Instead of her normal attire, Kasumi is wearing a classy sleeveless white dress with a fashionable hood. Kasumi spins slowly, showing off the expanse of skin showing at the small of her back. Her dress is the same length as Shepard's, the expanse of bare leg making them both look taller. Kasumi smirks at Shepard's surprised reaction. "What did you expect, Shep? That I'd give you a dress but wear my armor? It's a posh party; they'd never let me in wearing armor, no matter how flattering."

Shepard has to admit, she had been expecting Kasumi to be wearing armor. She's glad to be wrong. "You look good, Kasumi."

"As do you. You should wear this stuff more often, Shep," Kasumi suggests, "it looks good on you."

Shepard is quick to answer, "I'd rather not. A tight dress isn't high on my list of wardrobes to be wearing in a firefight."

"It can be done," Kasumi states.

"Yeah, but can it be done without exposing yourself to the enemy?"

Kasumi points out, "The added distraction could be a bonus."

Jacob mutters, "It'd distract me," then flushes red when he realizes he said that out loud.

The crew laughs at Jacob's embarrassment even as they agree it would be an effective distraction.

Shepard shakes her head, "I'd rather not be forced to find out. Are you ready?"

Kasumi smiles, "Yes." She has been waiting for this day for too long. Keiji's graybox will soon be in her possession.

In the cab, Kasumi fills Shepard in on the details. Her false identity will be Alison Gunn. Shepard laughs at the name. "Gunn, really?"

Kasumi grins, "Poetic, isn't it? For stealing from an arms dealer? I think Keiji would approve."

Shepard grins back. "I am sure he would."

Both of their armors and weapons will be stashed in the Saren statue. No one would ever expect Shepard to be the one coming with the gift of a Saren statue. She wonders what secret Keiji uncovered; clearly one big enough that they killed him over it.

Shepard's first impression of Hock isn't great but she expected nothing else considering what kind of man he is. She isn't as surprised as Kasumi is when he bars the thief entry. He didn't get where he is by ignoring instinct. Hock at least knows 'Alison Gunn' by reputation, whereas Gunn's companion is a complete mystery. He expects Gunn to be dangerous but as she is supposedly like him, that danger wouldn't be as alarming as the mystery of Gunn's companion.

This may not have been Kasumi's original plan but they can easily adapt. Shepard walks around the party, smiling on the inside as a woman scoffs that people believe Commander Shepard might still be alive, her male companion practically calling them naive idiots for believing such a fairytale. If they only knew the woman standing a foot away was the definitely not dead Commander Shepard.

Her ears twitch as the mention of Archangel, listening as the man declares he's dead or at the very least gone. The relief at Archangel's abrupt disappearance is barely distinguishable but Shepard sees it. Smirking in her mind, she knows Garrus will be pleased to hear his alter ego is stilled feared. Lily is proud of Archangel's accomplishments. He couldn't be bought and no doubt would have fought to his last breath. Garrus made a skilled vigilante. Imagine what the guests would say if they knew the truth? That Archangel is alive and well, same as Shepard, and the pair of them are not only fighting the good fight together but intimately involved. The shock would almost make the risk worth it. Yet, Shepard does nothing more than briefly touch her neck where Garrus's teeth is marked upon her skin.

Shepard finishes walking the layout of the open areas. Without hesitation, she walks down the stairs to the vault. Kasumi uncloaks and checks out the security measures. Shepard isn't surprised when Kasumi declares the measure impenetrable with one breath while confidently proclaiming she can crack them with no issue in the next.

Shepard goes back upstairs, approaching Hock confidently. It isn't hard to play him. She doesn't drop character, even when Hock talks about how important his—and her role—is in the universe. The guests applaud Hock's speech like he said something brilliant and life changing. It's idiotic but these people have a skewed view of the universe.

Next, Kasumi unlocks the security door and they make short work on the two guards. Shepard is pleased that despite the restrictive dress, she can still enact a powerful biotic charge. "Now this is more like it!" Shepard cheers with a happy grin.

Kasumi laughs at her, "You find too much enjoyment in fighting."

"Why do it if you don't enjoy it?" Shepard insists. Done here, they move on. Shepard gets past the guard at Hock's bedroom door with Kasumi's help. Together, they search for Hock's DNA. Hock appears obsessed with Keiji's graybox and he hasn't even broken the encryption yet. Within minutes, Shepard has Hock's DNA and Kasumi has taken out the barrier. They open the vault with greater ease than Hock probably would think possible. The two women quickly remove their dresses and don their far more familiar armor. Shepard grins as she grabs her favorite shotgun. Kasumi alters the security cameras, erasing their presence.

The master thief can feel excitement building. Finally she will have Keiji's graybox. The secret that got him killed is important but the memories of them together are far more valuable in her eyes.

Exiting the elevator, Shepard shakes her head at the first sight of Hock's vault. He certainly has eclectic tastes in art. She doesn't understand the appeal for many of the pieces but Kasumi seems to be impressed. Shepard will have to tease Garrus about the turian 'art' she spots in the vault. Expensive apparently. Personally, she isn't sure it is truly art. But what does she know? People continue to pay exorbitant amounts of credits for a single line on a canvas or a pile of junk soldered together. It's truly baffling but then pretentiously wealthy people do the craziest things.

They find the graybox. It looks so unassuming but the secrets it hides are invaluable. Kasumi scans it with her omni-tool.

Suddenly, Hock's face pops up. He calls Kasumi by name, saying he suspected that was her at the door. Shepard rolls her eyes at his threats. She cuts him off easily, all it takes it a single bullet to one of his irreplaceable artifacts. It's rather sweet to hear him scream no as it shatters.

"KILL THEM!" Hock growls.

The closely knit group of mercenaries enters, Shepard cackles as she shocks them with her arc projector heavy weapon. The flash grenades are annoying but Shepard ensures she isn't blinded by them. She and Kasumi pick them off one by one. Chief Roe is a worthy opponent but she's Commander Shepard. She is feared for a reason.

Moving on, Shepard groans at the sight of the large mech. She hates those fuckers. Tech isn't her strong suit. The gunfight is tedious but eventually she destroys it. Spotting another one not too long after makes her swear but Shepard grits her teeth and systematically destroys the second mech. Moving on, Shepard prepares to fight another wave, grinning as an asari vanguard pops out. She enjoys fighting against the supposedly most natural and powerful biotic species. She may be merely human but her biotic power is strong enough to match that of an asari matriarch.

Kasumi snickers as Shepard trash talks with the asari vanguard. If only the asari knew who she was really fighting. Alison Gunn may not be a fearsome opponent but Commander Shepard definitely is.

Defeating her, Shepard shouts, "That all you got, Hock?!"

The arms dealer snarls, having heard the challenge. "I am coming for you myself, Gunn!"

"Bring it!" Shepard dares with a grin. They fight through another group with relative ease. Exiting to the helipad, Hock finally shows himself. Shepard dives behind cover, laughing at Hock. "Couldn't even face us, hiding behind his gunship like a coward," she mutters aloud.

Kasumi and Shepard dive into the fight. The thief giggles to herself, "Garrus is going to be so pissed when he finds out about this."

Suddenly, Garrus's voice comes over their comm. "Oh, I am, Kasumi. See why I didn't want to you to go without backup?"

Shepard scoffs, "Pssht, I have Kasumi."

Garrus drawls sarcastically, "You two are fighting a ship."

"Not a big one," Shepard offers.

Garrus rubs the marks on his face. "Do I need to remind you what happened the last time we fought a ship?"

Shepard chuckles. "I promise not to get shot in the face. I know how you like my pretty face," she teases.

"You are going to be the death of me, you know that?"

While Kasumi enjoys the banter, she needs Shepard's full focus. "Hey Shep, not to interrupt but we are fighting a ship."

Shepard grins, "Course I know that, Kasumi! Gotta go, Babe, you can yell at me after we defeat Hock."

The ship's shields are a problem and despite whittling it down to nothing, Hock simply disappears for a time and comes back with full shields. Kasumi declares she can take out the shields if she can get close enough.

Eventually, Kasumi has her opportunity. Shepard watches with a bit of awe, Kasumi moves like a skilled acrobat. Shields down, they hammer at the ship's armor. The endless number of mercs is annoying but they deal. It is only a matter of time before Hock's ship explodes. He won't be coming after Kasumi again. Quickly they salvage everything they can and jump aboard the shuttle.

On the shuttle back to the Normandy, Kasumi opens the graybox. Seeing Keiji again is bittersweet, looking alive and here despite the knowledge that he isn't. Even as he warns her to destroy the graybox, she knows she can't. The memories of Keiji, of them are worth the risk. She cannot destroy them. Exiting from the memory, Kasumi fills Shepard in on what Keiji said.

"Sounds like he knew you well."

Kasumi smiles, agreeing, "He did, better than anyone ever has or will again." She may flirt with Jacob and lust for his body but he isn't Keiji. She will love no one else like Keiji.

"You can't destroy the secret without destroying the memories, right?"

She shakes her head, proclaiming, "Keiji was too good."

Shepard looks at her friend, guessing what Kasumi wants to do. "Are you sure? Living in your memories of Keiji isn't truly living. You know this isn't what Keiji wanted."

Kasumi meets Shepard's gaze unflinchingly. "Then he shouldn't have died and left me alone," she declares.

Shepard still isn't sure this is the right thing to do. She understands to a degree in the way only someone who has gone through something similar can, Kasumi's need to cling to Keiji's memory. Is it healthy? Probably not but Shepard cannot deny Kasumi this small comfort. "Keep it."

Kasumi smiles in response. Shep may be unsure whether or not keeping the graybox is a good idea but still she gave her blessing. That means a lot.

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Kasumi does nothing more than smile at the others, shuffling to her room with Keiji's graybox clutched in her hands.

Garrus watches her go. As she disappears, he turns to Lily. Spirits, it is good to see her back on the Normandy safe and sound. He pulls her close; the familiar weight of her in his arms is a great assurance. "No more fighting gunships, Lily. Especially without me."

Smirking into his shoulder, "I'm fine." She pulls back, declaring teasingly as she turns her head side to side, "See, rocket free."

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

Lily answers cheekily, "Nope!"

Joker breaks the moment, butting in, "You did take a rocket, to the face, Vakarian! And you can't even tell!"

Garrus shakes his head; he's never met another like Joker, which he admits is probably a good thing.

"No more dress, huh, Shepard?" Joker asks.

"Why, do you want it? 'Cause I'll give it to you. I bet it'd look great on you." Shepard jokes slyly. The image of Joker in a dress is hilarious.

Jack cackles, "I'd pay to see that!"

Jacob doubles over in laughter, choking out, "Me too!"

"Count me in," Miranda adds.

Joker glares at the crew. He can't believe this turned around to him in a dress! "Not gonna happen." Joker's lips curve into a smile and he boasts, "The universe isn't ready for the awesomeness of these sexy, cripple legs."

Laughter fills the room, easy and comfortable. Even though the crew is almost all new to each other, the group has bonded. Every single one of them has been outcasts at some point in their lives and they recognize kindred spirits in one another.

Shepard fills the group in briefly on the mission before she and Garrus go to their quarters. She strips her armor off, changing into comfortable civvies. They settle on the couch with Lily half in Garrus's lap, both of them needing the closeness. Then Lily tells Garrus about the graybox and the message Keiji left for Kasumi. "I'm not sure if I did the right thing for Kasumi. Is it really best that she clings to the memories of Keiji? Will she stop living in the present because she's too busy living in the past?"

Garrus understands why Lily is uncertain but he also understands Kasumi's desire to keep those precious memories. "Keeping Keiji's graybox may be what Kasumi needs. She loved him and now he's gone. She wasn't moving on even without the graybox."

Lily hadn't thought of it like that before. Sure, Kasumi ogles Jacob, but the flirting is surface only. There is nothing more than basic lust and admiration for a fit and attractive man. Regardless of her attraction to Jacob, Kasumi wasn't moving on. She wasn't before she got his graybox back and likely she won't after. Keiji's death changed her irrevocably. That isn't going to change.

Garrus hopes the graybox will give Kasumi at the very least a bit of happiness. They cannot bring Keiji back, no matter how much they wish they could. Keiji is gone. In the end, Garrus knows that Keiji was Kasumi's soul mate, the human version of a yazani. He cannot fault her for reacting as she has. The person that makes her whole is gone and there is nothing any of them can do to change that.

Lily turns pensive. She can sympathize with Kasumi. Losing Leeloo, her twin, is something she has never completely recovered from. It doesn't matter how many years ago it happened, Lily still feels the emptiness inside her that can only be filled by her twin. It might not be exactly what Kasumi is going through but she understands. "If I had memories of my family, I couldn't destroy them either." Lily's grip tightens on Garrus as she declares, "If I could see my family on last time, see Leeloo." She doesn't even have a photo of them. Garrus hugs her closer at the waver in her voice. "Even after all this time, I still feel an emptiness that used to be filled by Leeloo," Lily admits.

Garrus's heart clenches and he fervently wishes he could take that feeling away from her.

"I felt alone since them. At least, until you," she whispers almost too softly to be heard. It is hard to admit, even to herself much less Garrus, how important he is to her.

He dips her face up and confesses, "I have never trusted anyone more than you, Lily. No one. I need you in my life, always, in whatever capacity you allow." Garrus wants to say more, to tell her exactly who she is to him but the words are stuck in his throat. The omission chokes him, yet, he cannot force the words out.

Lily stares into his blue eyes, vowing, "You slipped under my guard, Garrus. I trust you like I trusted no one except Leeloo. I don't ever want to lose you. Even if—," her voice softens significantly, "even if this thing between us doesn't work out." Lily fears losing Garrus with a fervor that scares her. Garrus is her best friend, her most loyal companion, and most recently, her love. She cannot lose him. Lily doesn't want to consider that the intimate love between them could fade.

"Never," he promises. "Even if—" Garrus cannot say it. The mere thought of Lily wanting to break things off is akin to his heart being ripped out. "I will always be by your side, Reapers couldn't tear me away."

Lily caresses his face and then lays her head on his shoulder. Her mind goes to Kasumi and imagines herself in Kasumi's place. She would cling as tightly as Kasumi is if she lost Garrus. He is her rock and the thought of losing him takes her breath away.

Garrus's thoughts are on a similar plane. Turians rarely live long without their yazanis; the link between them is absolute. Yazanis become like the air they breathe. He doubts even a graybox filled with memories could keep him alive if Lily died. He is bound to her irrevocably even if she isn't bound to him. Garrus is hers for always.


Still unbeta'd, feel free to let me know if you spot something I missed. If anyone wants to volunteer to beta this story, let me know. My regular beta hasn't played this game series and I don't know if she'd be up to jumping into the complex Mass Effect world.

Hope you enjoyed the long chapter after such a long break. Next, I hope to tackle Samara's and Zaeed's or possibly Tali's. After that I still have some rather large gaps to fill: Legion's recruitment and loyalty mission and the suicide mission. Once that is finished, I should have a good chunk nearly ready to post. Let me know if you have anything else you'd like to see.