Lapin: Chapters will probably be shorter in this story simply because I find it easier to write in small bursts. Hope everyone is okay with that. :D


Heart of Stone

"Staring Contest"


The elevator ride up to the citadel tower was taking forever. Shepard was silent, trying to plan what she'd say to the councilors. No matter what her brain came up with, she still felt like the council wouldn't listen. The turian councilor knew about Joe and how he felt about turians in general. If he chose to bring that up, she'd have even less of a chance to make her case against Saren. He was controlling geth and attacked a human colony with them.

Shepard's head began to ache as she recalled the visions the beacon burned into her mind. There was more to it. Saren hated humans but that probably wasn't why he did it. After all, he wanted the beacon. She wished she could make sense of the visions.

The elevator finally stopped and the doors opened. Shepard, Kaidan and Ashley walked down the long corridor. As they reached the end, they heard the tail end of a heated conversation between two turians.

"Your investigation is over, Garrus." the older turian said, turning to take his leave.

The other turian looked down, his hands balling into fists. He noticed Shepard's approach and turned to face her. She flinched. Oh shit. Be nice. You promised.

Garrus spoke first, "Commander Shepard? Garrus Vakarian. I was the officer in charge of the C-Sec investigation into Saren."

Shepard took a deep breath. She'd have to choose her words carefully. Otherwise, she'd say something crass. "C-come across anything I should know about?" Damn it all. She had stuttered. She blushed slightly out of sheer embarrassment. What the hell?

Garrus didn't seem to notice her slip. Perhaps it was lost in translation. She was grateful, in any case. He crossed his arms. "Saren's a spectre. Most of his activities are classified. I couldn't find anything solid."

Shepard frowned. Figures.

He continued, "But I know he's up to something. Like you humans say, I feel it in my gut." Shepard's expression changed into a softer more questioning one. What?

Kaidan spoke suddenly, "I think the council's ready for us, Commander." Shepard looked at him quickly then back to the turian, who unfolded his arms.

"Good luck, Shepard. Maybe they'll listen to you." Garrus said, locking his eyes with hers. Shepard thought she detected a hint of doubt and sarcasm in his words. She started walking past him, not breaking his gaze. What a weird turian.

She could still feel his icy blue eyes on her back as she walked. A chill ran down her spine. "I don't trust him." she said, accidentally aloud. Kaidan moved up to walk next to her. "That's why I interrupted. Figured you were uncomfortable talking to him." he said, almost amused. Ashley looked confused.

"Turians freak her out." Kaidan said, pointing at Shepard. Ashley smiled. "Well you're not alone in that one, Commander. I can't stand having to work with aliens." she whispered, scanning the area to make sure no one else heard her. Shepard frowned. "Citadel, Williams. Not wise to say things like that here."

Ashley straightened her walk. "Right. Sorry, ma'am. Understood."

...

The asari councilor shook her head, "This meeting is adjourned."

With that, Shepard and Anderson walked down the stairs to meet back up with Kaidan and Ashley. "I knew they weren't going to listen." Shepard mumbled.

Anderson sighed. "Saren hates humans. That has to be why he attacked Eden Prime. He has to be stopped."

Shepard shrugged. "No. He wanted the prothean beacon. That's why he was there. The beacon did something to me. It made me see things. I don't know what for sure, but it definitely had to do death. A lot of it."

Anderson grabbed her shoulders. "Why didn't you mention this before? We could have told the counci-" Shepard pulled away. "Do you honestly think those idiots in there would believe me over things I saw in my damn head?!" she shouted. Anderson calmed down and sighed. "You're right."

"What's our next move?" Shepard asked eagerly. Ambassador Udina approached them saying, "As a spectre, he's virtually untouchable. We need to find some way to expose him."

For a while they were all silent in thought. Kaidan spoke up, "What about Garrus, that C-Sec investigator? We saw him arguing with the executor."

Shepard looked at him incredulously. "No! Absolutely not." she yelled. Kaidan flinched. Anderson raised an eyebrow. "Ambassador, where can we find him?" he asked, ignoring Shepard's protest. She continued to stare daggers into Kaidan, who was now contemplating hiding behind Ashley.

Udina thought for a moment. "Harkin might know where he is." Anderson shook his head, "Forget it. Harkin's been suspended. Drinking on the job. I don't want to waste my time with that loser."

"Shepard will handle it." Udina said, as Shepard's head whipped around to stare at him instead. "Shepard will what now?" she asked, crossing her arms defiantly. Anderson smirked. Udina began to sweat a little under her intense eyes. "I need to take care of some business. Captain, meet me in my office later." he said awkwardly, walking backwards until he was a safe distance away.

Shepard gripped her arms, turning sharply to stare at Kaidan again. He stepped closer to Anderson who was still smirking. "Harkin's probably getting drunk at Chora's Den. Get moving." he ordered, laughing a little.

Why he insisted on teasing her about her dislike of turians and women, she'd never know. "Let's go, Alenko, get your ass over here and watch my six." Shepard growled, walking over to the rapid transit console. Kaidan swallowed nervously and obeyed. "Commander, I'm sorry. I thought it was our best option right now." he whined. Ashley sighed and shook her head.

Shepard shot him a quick look that he was pretty sure meant, fuck you.

"Let's just focus on the mission."


Lapin: I hope you are all enjoying my Shepard as much as I'm enjoying writing her. Heh. She probably doesn't know what the word 'appropriate' means.

Please continue to review, it makes me inspired to write more!

xoxox