Legal Disclaimer: As always, Mass Effect, as well as all characters, locations, and dialogue borrowed from the game, are property of BioWare.
2/24/10 – Chapter Revision: Just a few alterations and added a little more detail.
A little over two years ago:
"At C-Sec you're buried by rules, the red tape is constantly holding you back."
"For the most part, the rules are there for a reason," comes the reasonable reply.
"Possibly, but it sometimes feels like the rules are only there to keep me from getting the job done. It shouldn't matter how I take down a suspect as long as I do it," the turian's mandibles are pulled tight to his chin in remembered frustration. "But it's always got to be done a certain way according to C-Sec. Protocol and procedure always come first. That's why I left."
The commander studies him for a moment, "I hope you made the right choice. I'd hate for you to regret it later," she finally says.
"Well, that's sort of why I wanted to team up with you. Now I can see how things are done outside of C-Sec," Garrus' rumbling voice is tinged with barely suppressed excitement. "Maybe I can get things done my way for a change."
"Garrus," she holds up a hand to stop him, "If getting the job done means endangering innocent people, then no. We get the job done right, not fast. Understood?"
"I-," he is taken aback by her vehemence, he drops his eyes to the floor as he responds, "Yes, Commander. I understand."
"Listen, Garrus," a hand comes to rest on his shoulder, he looks back up, her eyes holding his as she continues. "Just because you can break the rules doesn't mean you should. I don't need to stoop to Saren's level to stop him… And neither do you, Garrus"
On the Normandy: Crew Deck
As she approaches the door to the forward battery, it slides open to reveal Garrus pacing in agitation. "Shepard! I'm glad you came by. I need to get to the Citadel." He gestures her into the room as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
Shepard is growing more concerned by the moment; she's never seen him like this before. "Garrus, is something wrong?"
"No, nothing wrong," his voice is shaking as he continues; "You remember when I told you about Sidonis? The one who betrayed my squad? Last time we were one the Citadel, I put out some feelers, and my contact just sent me a lead on him." He continues talking, speaking quickly, almost as if afraid she'll cut him off before he finishes. "There's a specialist named Fade, my contact says he's an expert at making people disappear, and that the last time Sidonis was last seen talking to him."
"What are you planning to do when you find him?" the question is so soft he barely hears it.
He draws himself up to his full height, looking her straight in the eye, "There's a saying that you humans have: 'An eye for an eye,' a life for a life. Shepard, he owes me for ten lives, and I plan to collect."
"Garrus, are you sure that's how you want to handle this?"
He knows the next question before she asks it, and has his answer ready. "I'm sure." He holds his breath as he waits for her answer; afraid of what she'll say, knowing that what he wants is something she would never approve of.
She's quiet for so long, just looking at him. Finally, "Where do we find Fade,"
"We?" he repeats in shock, sure he's misheard.
"Yes. We." She says firmly, "This is important to you Garrus, and you'll need help."
"I've arranged a meeting with Fade on the Zakera Ward, in a warehouse near the Neon Markets." His relief at her offer causes him to relax slightly. "Thanks, Shepard. I appreciate you taking the time to help me."
"No thanks necessary."
* * *
On the Citadel: Factory District
"Of course the volus at the warehouse was a decoy," Garrus fumes as the transport zips towards their destination.
"Don't blame yourself, Garrus." Shepard comments, shrugging as she glances at the turian out of the corner of her eye. "At least he knew where to tell us to go, and now we know that Harkin is the one we're looking for." She remembers the slimy, former C-Sec officer with distaste. "I'm almost eager to get a chance to talk to him again." Garrus wonders how she knows Harkin. Further conversation is set aside as they arrive at their destination.
The first thing they see as they exit the transport are three figures loading crates onto a cart. The human looks up as they approach. "Shepard?" the man says hoarsely in disbelief. Then he notices the person standing at her shoulder. Before either can say a word, he's shouting to his companions to start shooting as he bolts through the nearby door.
"Run all you want Harkin! We'll find you!" The terrible shout nearly deafens the commander as bullets start flying. Their opponents are quickly dispatched, and they cautiously move into the factory. Almost immediately large storage containers open and mechs begin pouring out. "Cover me!" Shepard shouts as she heads directly into the first group, her biotically enhanced charge smashing several into pieces; Jack's shockwave following in her wake to take care of the lone survivor.
The fighting is fierce as they work their way among the crates, and it's obvious that Harkin has planned for the possibility of a raid. Around corner, new waves of mechs and Blue Suns mercs lay in wait; only to be mown down by the commander, who is fighting with even more intensity than usual.
Finally, during a lull, they come across a room with a large shuttered window. After doing a sweep to ensure that the room is clear, Shepard motions for Jack to guard the door and decides to open the shutters to assess the layout of the next room. As the shutter opens, it reveals an enormous room filled with yet more crates and storage containers, some on raised platforms. As they examine the room, they both notice movement between the crates. They duck quickly into cover.
"What do you plan to do to Harkin's when we find him?" the commander asks, while carefully scanning the room.
"I should just do the Citadel a favor and shoot him. He's a criminal now," Garrus replies from his crouched position. "but I need him alive to tell me where I can find Sidonis." his voice hardens, "He's a coward, he'll talk long before I really hurt him."
"And you're still planning to kill Sidonis when we find him?" Shepard's voice is carefully neutral.
"That's the plan," comes the reply, he doesn't look at her, "Don't worry, I'll take the shot, and I'll live with the consequences."
She carefully keeps her features smooth, her voice not betraying any emotion, "Are you sure there's no other way?"
"Maybe," he says flatly, "but this is personal."
"Let's move."
The room is filled with more mechs and Harkin's voice shouting at them through the intercom. The trio makes short work of the first wave, however the two heavy mechs that come crashing to the ground just in front of them keep them pinned down for several minutes. Finally Shepard bursts from cover, bolting toward the nearest heavy; getting its attention and keeping it distracted. Garrus' heart leaps into his throat as he watches her as she bolts in and out of cover, taking multiple hits to her shields each time she moves. Finally, he and Jack are able to take down the one nearest them. The commander vaults over a nearby crate and takes shelter, only to reappear moments later, sending a guided missile to dispatch the second.
As they climb the raised platforms, Shepard motions for Garrus to go around to the opposite side of the control room. As she and Jack appear in the doorway, Harkin immediately moves toward the door on the other side of the room. He opens the door, only to be greeted by a wall of enraged turian, who sweeps the human off his feet and slams him bodily into the back wall. "I'm looking for someone, and you're going to tell me where he is," Garrus snarls, his face less than an inch away from Harkin's.
"Well it looks like we both have something the other one wants." Harkin says, breathing heavily. A slimy smile spreads across his face just before Garrus' fist buries itself into his stomach.
"Tell me where to find Sidonis" the words are accompanied by a low warning growl.
"Harkin, this doesn't have to be difficult," Shepard interjects reasonably. "Just tell us where he is."
"Fuck you bitch," he sneers, a snarl from Garrus diverts his attention just before a taloned hand pins him to the wall by the throat. "Giving out client information is bad for business."
"I can think of several things that are worse for business," the snarled words are followed with Harkin being thrown to the ground, Garrus' foot braced on his throat, "Like a broken neck!" The man quickly starts to turn blue as he struggles, and Shepard rests a hand on Garrus' shoulder, wordlessly urging him to let Harkin up.
Convinced, Harkin capitulates and sets up a meeting. "So, I guess we're done here?"
"Not quite Harkin," the turian pulls his gun and takes aim, "You're a criminal now, and I don't mind leaving a blood trail for C-Sec to follow." As his finger tightens on the trigger, the commander grabs his arm with both hands, redirecting the shot into the ceiling.
"We know who he is now Garrus," she reasons as he struggles in her grip, "C-Sec won't have any trouble finding him now." He yanks his arm away from her as Harkin stands up.
His oily smile back in place, he sneers at her as she turns away, "Sure, I hope we can do business again real soon."
With a low growl as his only warning, he's sent back to the floor, unconscious, when Garrus head butts him. "I didn't shoot him," he says, almost calmly as they walk out the door.
"Come on, let's move."
* * *
The words are said quietly, concern evident on her face, "I'm getting a little worried about you Garrus, you were pretty hard on Harkin. This isn't like you."
He doesn't look at her, his voice is harsh as he replies, "What do you want from me Shepard. What would you do if someone betrayed you?"
There's a long silence, "I won't mention it again," and despite his rage, the words cut at him. "What do you need me to do?"
He points to an area nearby, "I can get a clear shot from over here. Just get him into position and keep him talking. I'll let you know when I've got a clear shot."
"Got it," she replies. He gets out of the shuttle and heads over to set up. Shepard and Jack head down to the meeting place.
At Garrus' direction, she waves the turian over. "I thought Harkin was the best," Sidonis starts complaining as soon as he approaches. "This had better not happen again."
"You're in my shot Shepard, move to the side," Garrus' voice comes over her aural implant.
She doesn't hesitate before she decides to take the chance. "Sidonis, I'm a friend of Garrus'. He wants you dead, but I'm hoping we can avoid that."
A low growl, followed by the hard words, "Damn it Shepard, if he moves, I'm taking the shot!"
Disbelief crossing his face, the turian starts to turn away. She quickly grabs his arm, warning him that she's the only thing standing between him and a bullet. Sidonis starts talking, telling the same story that Garrus had told her, telling her that he would have been killed if he'd refused to cooperate. The woman follows his every move, keeping herself between him and Garrus.
"Sometimes, I just want it to be over. I can't sleep, I can't eat. All I see when I close my eyes are their faces, accusing me." The turian hangs his head.
"Garrus, you've got to let this go," she finally says, turning to look in his direction, "he's already paying for what he did."
"He's still got more to pay," the pain in his voice overriding the rage, "Ten men are dead because of him"
"Will killing the eleventh bring them back?" she asks, her eyes pleading with him.
There is a long pause, followed by, "Tell him to go,"
With Sidonis' thanks ringing hollowly in her ears, she heads back to the transport to pick up Garrus.
He advances toward her, agitation showing in every movement. "I know you want to talk about this… but I don't," he says, coming closer to snarling at her than he ever has before. "Not yet."
She nods, "Let's go then, we can talk about it once we get back to the ship."
* * *
On the Normandy: Crew Deck
A request for admittance. He ignores it.
A second request. He ignores that one too.
The door opens and he whirls around, snarling, angry at this invasion of his privacy. "You may not want to talk about this Garrus, but I do." The commander says firmly, un-intimidated, "Now."
"You've said enough," he manages to say; "There's nothing else to talk about."
"You did the right thing, Garrus," again she's speaking in that strange tone of voice.
"Why, Shepard? Why did you make me let him go?" The accusatory words are pained, anger still showing in every line of his body. "He deserves to die for what he did to my men!"
"Because killing him wouldn't solve anything!" she bursts out angrily, shocking him into stunned silence. "If it would, don't you think I would have killed him myself?"
"It's my responsibility…"
"Garrus, if you had taken that shot, you would be branded a murderer," she cuts him off, her entire body shaking, "Because I couldn't let you kill someone you once called a friend. It does things to you, and you never forget it, never get over it." Her eyes go distant and he knows she's remembering the choice she had been forced to make on Virmire. "I couldn't let that happen. If you hadn't let him go, I would have killed him myself."
The anger drains out of him, "But why? That goes against everything you believe in. I was prepared to deal with the consequences."
"Because I'm a Spectre," she snaps bitterly, "I'm above the law! What good is that if I can't protect the man I lo-"she claps her hand over her mouth, eyes going wide as she turns away.
"What did you just say?" Garrus says into the stunned silence of the room. When she doesn't respond, he moves closer to her, concerned when he sees that her shoulders are shaking. "Hey," not quite daring to touch her, but wanting to see her face "What did you say?" he repeats softly, not daring to believe that he'd heard her correctly.
Elissa turns to face him, and he's shocked when he sees tears streaming down her face, "I said what good is being a Spectre if I can't protect the man I love?" that soft tone yet again, and finally things start crashing into place. The casual tactile contact from a woman who holds herself apart from those around her; the easy conversations, full of teasing and banter; the look in her eyes when she smiles at him. She loves him, she loves him!
The revelation is so overwhelming that he can't respond at first. She wipes her eyes with the heel of her hand and starts moving toward the door, mouthing an apology for disturbing him when he suddenly realizes that she's leaving. He reaches out and grasps her shoulder, pulling her into his arms. Finally he pulls back, catching her eyes with his, "You love me?" he asks huskily, his voice rumbling. Her eyes never leave his as she nods. He pulls her back into his embrace, inhaling the scent of her hair, her arms wrapping around him as she buries her face into his throat. Finally, he feels complete.
After several moments she hears a slight chuckle rising from his chest, "That's good, because I love you too."
A/N: I'm really starting to enjoy writing this more and more. Please read and review if you'd like!