You say you're down on your luck

Hey baby, It's a long, long way up

Hold back now, hold back your fears

You say you're really down and out

And you feel like there's no way out now

Let go now, let go of your tears some more

How many times have you asked yourself

Is this the hand of fate now that I've been dealt?
You're so disillusioned this can't be real

And you can't stand now the way you feel

I don't care about what they say

I won't live or die that way

Tired of figure out things on my own

Angel's wings won't you carry me home?

.:Angel's Wings – Social Disortion:.

The shot wasn't beautiful but still effective, and the body jerked a few times at the floor before all life ebbed out. There were still more coming, one by one or in groups – all of them trying to get him for a few credits. He'd really managed to piss the merc-gangs off, since they now cooperated. It had never happened before and the truce would probably end when he was dead.

Garrus should be flattered, but he was too exhausted. And that's why he caught himself up in this trap – his ability to take good decisions decreased a couple of hours ago. His body craved for nutrition, and he couldn't remember when he last ate anything. The clips were about to run out too. Garrus was knee-deep in shit, and tried to reconcile himself with the thought that he probably wouldn't surive to the next day. Maybe his restless soul would finally find peace in his death.

On the very far end of the bridge he saw some change in the movements. Something was about to happen. Garrus lifted his sniper rifle and glanced in the scope. By the look of the armor it seemed to be two humans and a Salarian on the move. He made himself comfortable against the concrete pillar and moved the crosshair into position. What the…? No way!

One of the humans was definitely female, with red hair. He recognized the fighting style, but it couldn't be, could it? He changed to concussive rounds and aimed for the shoulder. The woman jerked back a step and looked up at him with such an angry and annoyed face. It was her – it was Shepard. But how? Was he already dying? His brain making up happy illusions? They were running over the bridge now, and he concentrated on the following mercs, who now realized they have been fooled.

He heard them step up behind him.

"Archangel?"

Garrus raised his hand with a signal to wait. There was one last guy down there, hiding behind the pillar. One sec, two sec…there was the mistake he was waiting for, and pressed the trigger. Shepard didn't know it was him. What now? So much feelings inside him – anger, betrayal, hurt, joy, love, anguish. So much he wanted to say, to ask, but he guessed it had to wait. He turned around slowly and sat down on a crater.

"Shepard…I thought you were dead. "

Ouch. There was more than surprise in his voice. A hint of sadness. Hurt. Exhaustion. He looked really tired and if the corpses on the bridge was something to count for she suspected he had been stuck up here for a long time.

"Garrus. What are you doing here?"

"Just keeping my skills sharp. A little target practice. "

"You ok?"

"Been better, but it's sure good to see a friendly face. Killing mercs is hard work, especially on my own."

"Since when did you call yourself Archangel?"

"It's just a name the locals gave me for…all my good deeds. Hmp. I don't mind it, but please, it's just Garrus to you."

"So…what are YOU doing here on Omega? "

"I got fed up with all the beaucratic crap on the Citadel. Figured I could do more good on my own. It's not hard to find criminals here. All I have to do is point my gun and shoot."

"How did you manage to piss off every major merc organization in the Terminus System?"

"It wasn't easy. I reeeally had to work on it. I am amazed they teamed up to fight me. They must really hate me."

"You nailed me good a couple of times by the way."

"Concussive rounds only. No harm done. Didn't want the mercs to get suspicious."

"Uhu?"

"If I wanted to do more than take your shields done I've would have done it. Besides, you were taking you sweet time. I needed to get you moving. "

"Well, we got here, but I don't think getting out will be as easy."

"Garrus…!" Mordin, do something!"

No. No. No. This was so unfair. He just got her back from the dead, and now it was his turn to die. Damn, his head hurt, and he felt something warm tickling down in between the armor and his body. He was bleeding out. Great!

"Trauma to head. Major blood loss. Need medical care and surgery. Life in danger. Need to get to Normandy. Status is critical. "

"THANKS Mordin, tell me something I didn't know! Normandy, come in. We need an evac asap, Garrus is hurt. Tell Chakwas to prepare the medbay"

Garrus felt his vision narrow and he was about to loose consciousness. At least he fought together with her a last time, just like old times. His restless soul would finally be at peace.

"Hang on ,Garrus. We're getting you out of here. Don't you dare die on me, now when I finally found you."

The last sentence she whispered into his undamaged ear. And then everything went black.

For the last hours she had prayed and wished for him to be ok. She had wandered the ship up and down, been outside the medbay for news more times than she could count. Now when she had finally found him, she was not ready to loose him. And to hell with the Illusive Man and his excuses. Shepard was sure he knew who "Archangel" was from the beginning. This mission had barely begun and she was already tired of his games. She saw in the corner of her eye that Jacob approached her.

"Commander, we have done what we could for Garrus. But he took a bad hit. The docs corrected with surgical procedures and some cybernetics. Best we can tell, he'll have full functionality, but…"

Shepard heard the doors open and turned her head in that direction. Her heart made an extra jump in her chest when she saw Him and she smiled.

"Shepard"

"Tough son of a bitch. I didn't think he would be up yet" Jacob said.

"Nobody would give me a mirror. How bad is it?"

"Hell, Garrus. You were always ugly. Slap some face-paint on there, and no one will ever notice"

"Ha-haaa! Don't make me laugh, damn it. My face is barely holding together as it is. Ah, probably for the best. Some women find facial scars attractive. Mind you, most of those women are krogan. "

Jacob seemed to be uncomfortable with their friendly chat so he saluted her and left them alone. Finally, she thought.

"Frankly, I am more worried about you. Cerberus, Shepard? You remember those sick experiments they were doing?"

"That's why I'm glad you're here, Garrus. I'm walking into hell. I want someone I trust at my side. "

"You realize this plan have me walking into hell too? Just like old times. I'm fit for duty whenever you need me, Shepard. I'm settling in and see what I can do to the forward batteries."

She saw him walk away. Everything was the same, and still not. They sure talked as the old friends they were, but there was so much left unsaid. Maybe for the best for now. It had been a long day with three recruited crew-members, and she was exhausted. Both mentally and physically. A steamy shower wouldn't hurt, she thought and went for the elevator.

Garrus headed for the main batteries. She was real, and he was here with her. He didn't know what to believe. Had Shepard been alive these two years? Sick? Wounded? Some part of him felt betrayed over her actions, another part thought she probably would have a good explanation. But he didn't dare to bother her now with all his questions.

She had looked tired and worried. And lovely. She was all he had remembered her to be, and more. She had some unhealed scars in the face, not that he cared, but he wondered how she'd get them. Maybe she would tell him. If he knew her right, they would have a talk in the near future to clean the air between them. She had always been straightforward with him. But now it was time to sleep. He took some of the painkillers and sleeping pills he got from Dr Chakwas, and not one minute from when his head rested on the pillow he was sleeping.