Wake me up, I'm about to give it up.

Hey hurry up, lately it's been hard enough

Try to shut me up, when you know you should wish me luck

And you could beat me up, I'm heading for the top

Hit me hard, hit me right between the eyes

I wanna see the stars, hit me hit me!

.:Hit me! – The Sounds:.

Shepard was awake early, or late, depending on who you asked. Sweat dripped from her face, but it didn't stop her. Her feets worked quickly and the fists hit the punching bag one time after another, and her knuckles began to redden, some even bleeding. She didn't feel it, because her mind was somewhere else. Shepard knew she and Garrus had to talk real soon. Yesterdays happenings didn't give any space for explanations, and after their last conversation it was up to her to call the subject.

A commander took care of problems when they appeared, and talked the talk when needed. She had never avoided it earlier, and wouldn't start now. But this time it was personal, and that made it so much more difficult. What was she supposed to say? Sorry I died two years ago and now storming into your life, hope we can still be friends? Garrus deserved more than that. She only hoped that he wanted to stay by her side when he got to know the truth. Her biggest fear right now was if he turned his back on her and walked away.

Only now she felt the pricking ache in her knuckles for every time she hit the bag, and she started to kick it instead. Exercise had always been a good way for her to canalize her feelings. She had difficulties talk about them, and for long periods she hid it inside herself. Even she realized it wasn't good in the long run, but she was an officer who was responsible for many people and she couldn't show herself weak when they looked up to her. The only time she could fully relax was when she was with Garrus. If he chose to dismiss this mission, she didn't know if she would make it. Shepard needed him to lean on when it got heavy.

He had changed a big deal during the two years when she'd been dead. Garrus was more confident and dominant now. No longer young and insecure, rather the opposite. More equal to her. He would never stand in her shadow again. It didn't bother her at all. She never had a thing for aliens, but yesterday she couldn't help but think he was handsome. His shoulders had become wider and his face was more mature. She had wondered how old he really was.

Shepard was insecure about her feelings now, when she actually had a chance to explore them. He was her subordinate and friend. Was he even seeing her as a female being? Or only a friend? She didn't know anything about his lovelife, even though she knew he was single during their last mission together. For the other alien races it wasn't so strange to couple with each other, but for humans it was a big NO NO.

" .SHIT" Shepard cursed out her frustration and fear with three rapid hits.

"Do you need something more living to fight with?" His purring voice surprised her. Garrus was leaning on the wall in front of her, with his armed crossed and his chest bare. Shepard had never seen him so…undressed. For how long had he been there?

"Sure, I do need some challenge" she said with a grin on her face, trying not to stare too much on his chest and thin waist. He didn't look all to weird without clothes.

"Do you have any tape? Don't want to hurt you more than necessary. " Garrus wiggled with his sharp talons.

"Sure, want me to help you? Ten fingers are better than six."

"Really? Let's find out which hurts the most, a fist of three or five fingers. "

"Cocky, aren't we?"

Shepard got the tape, and Garrus met her in the center of the floor. He stretched out a hand and she took it in her own. Her fingers touched the talons, and they sure was sharp enough to kill her instantly if he wanted.

"You have natural close-combat weapons but chose to be a sniper?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"These doesn't require skills. It's just hack 'n' slash. But to be a sniper you need patience and endurance. I'm fair enough in close-combat. Actually I was one of the best".

His voice was pleasant to listen to, something between rumbling and purring. She taped him up and released his hands.

"So, Garrus…Any rules?

"No biotics. And no dirty tricks. Just pure fight".

"Fine".

They slowly started to dance around each other, get a feeling of what the other was about to do. The two of them had never sparred with each other before, but this was exactly what she needed. Garrus lunged for her and she took a quick step to the side. Damn, he was quick. Since he was taller than her he had an advantage. It would be hard for her to come close enough with getting a punsch or two. So they kept dancing for some minutes.

"Come on, Shepard. This is not a fun fight. Challenge me!"

He tried to tease her, and partially he succeeded. She prepared for an attack, shoved aside a stroke which he parried, then she ducked and swept away one of his legs which resulted in Garrus loosing balance. She took the opportunity to punch him in the face.

"Enough of a challenge for you?" she asked.

Not that he knew how to use his length and reach for his advantage, but she was so fucking flexible. A Turian could never have done what she did and he became more wary.

"We need to talk, Garrus." There it was. She couldn't take it back and she hoped this would end well.

"So, let's talk then."

"I know you have questions, pop them." She kept her guard up to protect her face, like it would help against his questions.

"All this time...were you even dead?" Ouch. Shepard had expected something like this, but it still hurt as hell. She parried one of his blows and barely had the time to dodge his kick.

"Oh, I've been dead alright. Been laying on an operating table for two years while Cerberus stitched me together".

"So that's why you all of a sudden turn up to save my sorry ass, in armor belonging to a human terrorist organization. I never thought you would sink so low as to work with them, Shepard". He sounded disappointed.

"Like I had any choice. The Illusive man gave me an offer I couldn't refuse, and for now their goal is the same as mine; to fight the collectors and reapers. But I don't work for them, rather cooperating," She let down her guard for a few seconds.

"I know it hasn't been easy for you, Garrus." she said, with all the sympathy she could manage in her voice.

"Fuck no, it hasn't". She didn't see his fist coming and couldn't parry it in time. It was a blow which split her lower lip. Oh, shit, shit, shit that hurt. Garrus looked a little worried but didn't stop.

"A part of me died that day, Shepard. I mourned you for two fucking years while I was ruining my life. Two years I will never get back. And now you are here, like it never happened. Dancing to the tunes of Cerberus. "

"Yeah? I understand it have been hard Garrus. But these few days have been hard for me too."

"Really? What are a few days compared to years, Shepard. Explain it to me!" Oh, this was so unfair. She didn't have to take it like this. Shepard felt the rage taking over her body and she snapped. She attacked Garrus with such frenzy and gave him blow after blow in the face, on his chest. He managed to step back and raise his guard.

"I know it had been two years. But I died, Garrus. I DIED! I suffocated, alone in space while watching my ship burn, and thinking of my crew… and you. All of a sudden I am alive again. All my crewmembers and friends are shattered across the galaxy. I have to work with an organisation I hate, because the Alliance and the Counsil turned their back on me. And no one there to watch my back."

"I…I'm sorry Shepard. I guess we both have had a pretty rough time. "

"No shit? I'm sorry too, Garrus, and I think we actually need to talk without the sparring. Call it a draw for today?"

"Yes, I think so"

" I'm sorry about your brow by the way. Think Chakwas need to do something about it." She touched his bleeding brow with her finger, amazed about the blue blood.

"And I think she has to do something about your cracked lip. And I'm not sorry for that"

"You bastard!" Shepard smiled while she drawed a finger along her lip to feel how bad it was. It sure hurt as hell.

"Let's go soldier, towards the medbay!" They waited for the elevator when Shepard felt her lower lip tingling. Oh no. She watched her finger and realized she had used the same finger to touch his brow and her lip.

"Hey, Doc. I think we need something for turian allergy-reaction" Garrus, said., while they were walking into the medbay.

"What have you two done now? You look a bit roughed up."

"Well…" Shepard started. "Garrus, was testing his reach, while I tested my flexibility."

"Uhu? And the reaction?"

"Uh, well. I cracked his brow open and he split my lip. Just a friendly sparring, that's all."

Chakwas examined her lip. " I don't think it will get more worse than this, but I will give you some antihistamines just to be sure. I think you have to go see Mordin, if you are going to sparr some more in the future" she said meaningly with one brow lifted.

"What?" Shepard was confused.

"Most allergic reactions between the alien races is caused by ingestion during sex."

"We were only sparring. I made the mistake to touch his brow and then my lip."

"Uhu? Is that so." Chakwas wasn't convinced.

They left the medbay about ten minutes later when both of them were stitched up

"Hey, Garrus! Are we good, for now?"

"Yeah, we're good, Shepard. Talk to you later. I have some calibrations to do." He walked towards the main batteries. Shepard sighed. They worked out the rougher parts, but they still needed to talk about the rest if this was going to work.

A/N: I would like to thank Vorcha Girl and guest who have had the time to write me some reviews. Small changes have been made, and I hope the rest of you who are reading this fic is enjoying it.