Embrace eternity

The woman let in a deep gasp of air as her eyes fluttered open, like a person coming up for oxygen after being submerged in water. Her feminine form stirred beneath the covers as her eyes adjusted to her familiar surroundings, trying to remember what had just happened. Shepard groaned, bringing up a hand to rub her eyes as she heard the door slide open. She turned her head, having to double take as she saw Garrus in her doorway holding a tray of food.

"Hey...Sorry to wake you. I just thought you might be hungry," he said quietly as he made his way towards her, tray in hand, and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I don't usually eat this soon after I wake up, you know."

"You need to eat, Shepard," Garrus responded in a more somber tone as he pushed the tray on the commander's lap and helped her sit up in the bed. He rested his hand on her spine, rubbing her back softly as he watched her cautiously staring her food down. The tray was filled with various sweets from donuts and chocolate to miniature cupcakes and coffee, none of which had any shred of nutritional value. She sometimes indulged herself in such things, but this was a bit overboard even for her. Seeing her expression, he then said, "Mordin suggested that these might be easier for you to keep down. Here..."

He ruffled through one of the napkins on the tray and uncovered a bottle of capsules, showing them to Shepard.

"And these are from Dr. Chakwas. She said you would need to take two a day."

"Thanks, Garrus. I appreciate it," Shepard replied as she slowly took a bite. She didn't realize exactly how hungry she actually was until she started chewing. Her bites became bigger each time until she was practically inhaling her food. The Turian couldn't help, but stare in awe, seeing frosting collect at the corners of her mouth, coffee dripping down her chin, and her loving every second of it. His mandibles flared out when he chuckled. Though the sight was a little disturbing, it was cute at the same time. It was a complete switch from what he witnessed the night prior, seeing her break down in front of him. They still hadn't had the chance to talk about what their next step should be, much less what their relationship actually entailed. Now didn't feel like the right time to bring it up, but he doubted the right time would ever come.

"Shepard...We need to talk," he finally managed to say as he rubbed the back of his neck, unsure of how to bring up the topics that were plaguing his thoughts. "About the baby."

The woman turned to look at him with a mouthful of food. As soon as she finished chewing her breakfast and swallowing in silence, she lightly dabbed at her mouth, cleaning herself of the mess she managed to make, then replied,

"What about it?"

"What were you planning on doing?"

Shepard took in a deep breath at the question as she glanced over at him, placing the tray on the nightstand as she repositioned herself on the bed, so that they were looking directly at one another.

"I think whatever we decide, we need to agree on it."

Garrus's brow plates shifted to a frown as he took her hands in his, cradling them gently in his touch. That was not what he expected to hear and her answer brought some form of relief and newfound fear, but he couldn't bring himself to ask her what she wanted.

"I want to keep it. It's our child, Shepard...I..."

He turned his head away from her and shook his head as if in defeat. Garrus knew this pregnancy could cause complications for the entire Normandy, but most importantly her and her health. There was a slim chance that it would even survive and if it did it would be the only one of it's kind. He took all these things into consideration, but he just couldn't bring himself to not put in his two cents. Aside from casting his eyes on her beautiful naked form, this was the only other time he wanted to be selfish.

"...You know I'll support whatever you want to do. Chakwas told me she would perform an abortion if that's what you wanted...to keep the peace..."

Was it hot in there? It sure felt that way to him and Shepard's silence didn't ease his discomfort. Garrus once again pulled at the collar of his armor, then slowly slid her hands out of his grasp, stood up, and let out a dejected sigh as he said,

"I should go...There's some things I need to take care of..."

With that he turned away from her, pausing for a moment before retrieving the tray and walking away. Just as he reached the door, he stopped and said,

"Oh, and the crew is talking about all of us heading to Afterlife for a belated celebration. It isn't my first choice, but I think some of the men want to get a couple of dances..."

He shrugged his shoulders, then stepped out, not waiting for an answer; he just needed to get the hell out of there and fast, especially after sticking his foot in his mouth like that.

"Set a course for Omega. I think everyone has deserved to relax for one night at least."

"If you consider being on Omega relaxing. Does that mean you're feeling better today, Commander?" Joker asked as he turned his head to look at the woman, cocking a brow suspiciously. "I think we'd all get kicked out if you threw up all over the bar."

"Joker, I've shot Krogan while having a hernia. A stomach bug isn't going to hold me down. Just plot the course."

"Aye, aye, Captain," The helmsman replied as he turned back towards the console. With a smile, Shepard turned away, her heels lightly clicking as she walked through the Normandy, making her way to the com system.

"We'll be docking at Omega in ten minutes, everyone. Report to the hatch once you're ready."

The few seconds following the message, all was silent, but soon the dull voices of crew members cheering could be heard, forcing the commander's lips to form into a smirk.

Shepard sat at the bar, cradling her chin in her hand as she stared at the selection of drinks behind the counter. It was a cruel tease, knowing she couldn't drink in good conscience, but she also knew that the other members couldn't find out about her pregnancy. The last thing she wanted was to put everyone on edge, so she sat there alone, listening to the other patrons gossip and sipping on her glass of water.

On one end of Afterlife, she could see Joker getting a spicy lap dance from an Asari and could have sworn she saw him swipe his credit chit between her ass cheeks. In fact most of the men were enjoying the company of some of the strippers, save for Grunt and Thane, who chose to be in more secluded areas. Legion was busting a move on the dance floor with Tali and the Yeoman, though it was difficult to know if he did it due to programming, or simply out of boredom. Jack was consuming shot after shot alone. The others must have been in the lower levels, or on the other side of the bar where she couldn't see them.

"Shepard, let me buy you a drink."

She turned her attention towards the voice to see Miranda walking up to her with a smile. She smiled back as she shook her head and responded,

"I'm alright."

"You destroyed that Collector base. You deserve to kick back and relax," Miranda responded as she sat next to Shepard.

"This night isn't for me. It's for my crew. I should be the one buying."

Before her squad mate could say another word, Shepard signaled the bar keep and ordered a shot for her comrade in arms, sliding the drink over to her as she raised her glass of water with a smirk. Miranda couldn't help but laugh at her stubbornness, so she thanked her and raised her glass as well.

"To saving the world. One day at a time."

"Cheers," The commander responded and gave a nod of approval while they pressed their glasses together and drank. As the cool water traveled down her throat, Shepard turned her gaze seeing Garrus at the corner of her eye. He was sitting across the room at a booth with an Asari dancer gyrating on the table and Zaeed practically waving his credit chit to persuade him to get a lap dance, his treat.

"C'mon, now! Don't be a goddamn pussy!"

Zaeed's drunken banter forced her to cough in her glass, causing water to splash into her cup and all over her. Even Shepard didn't know whether the sight shocked her or amused her, but she started to hack into her arm to clear her lungs, water dripping down her chin and onto the tight leather dress she decided to wear for the night. Somehow Garrus heard her through the blaring techno music and soon she saw him staring directly at her, moving from his seat to make his way towards her, despite Zaeed's attempts of persuasion.

Shepard immediately stood up and excused herself from Miranda's presence, then started to make her way to the restroom, trying to avoid the awkwardness of being caught watching, when they had hardly spoken a word to each other all night. She passed a few patrons, weaving through the small crowds to lose herself in them and soon she found herself towards the back end of Afterlife. It was then that she felt someone snag onto her wrist. Quickly, she turned around, expecting to see a certain familiar face, but was met by a different Turian male. A very drunk Turian at that.

"You need something?"

"I need you baby. You look niiiiice. Why don't we go somewhere private, so you can wet my hose?"

Shepard lifted a brow as she forcefully yanked her hand away from him, watching him as he swayed from side to side, seeing the haze over his eyes as she scoffed,

"Not a chance."

"Aww, now, don't be like that. Me and my friends here just want to have a little fun."

Hearing extra sets of footsteps, Shepard shifted her eyes towards the shadows, seeing a few others starting to make their way towards her. If there was one thing she knew, it was that booze and horniness was usually a bad mixture for any male, especially a Turian. Sometimes they just wouldn't listen to reason, or back down. She nonchalantly brought her hands up to her chest and proceeded on cracking every knuckle as she prepared herself to fight each and every one of them off. Then suddenly in the distance, she heard,

"Keep your filthy hands off her!"

"Hey, man, go find your own!"

It was Garrus, looking none the happier and all too pissed at what he was seeing. Garrus shook his head while his eyes lit up with rage, his mandibles flexing with tension as he stormed towards the troupe, bringing his fist back as he lunged at the leader, hooking him right across the chin, forcing his head to snap to the side from the sheer force. It was then that the former C-Sec officer came across and slammed his other fist into his groin until he heard the snapping noise of his lower plates. It might have been considered a low blow, but that was the least that bastard deserved for preying on his woman and he was determined to make him pay in full. The others fled, hearing him scream in agony, but it only fueled Garrus's hatred as he then proceeded to grip the other Turian's throat in his hand, forcefully choking him as he pounded his head, watching as his face cracked and tore at the blunt force of his armored fist, bright blue blood oozing out of every gash.

"Garrus, that's enough! Stand down!" Shepard ordered as she grabbed onto his arm, preventing him from hitting him again.

He quickly turned his head in her direction, staring at the expression on her face as he loosened his grip. In moments he began to regain his composure, pulling his arm away from her as he stood to his feet, looking down at the human with a frustrated expression. Garrus then switched his sights on his victim, who had surprisingly remained conscious through the entire beating, giving him a cold stare. Whatever fire that remained in his eyes told him that he would be ready to put a bullet in his skull next time. This is why he hated Omega, because of the trash that littered the streets, preying on those they deemed helpless.

As he calmed his breathing, he brought the back of his arm to his forehead, wiping away any blood that had splattered on his face as he finally turned to her and asked,

"Are you okay?"

Shepard ignored him as she grabbed his arm once more and pulled him down into the lower levels of Afterlife, leading him to a secluded spot where they wouldn't be seen. If nothing else, they needed to move in order to avoid security. When she had found a suitable area, the woman released him from her grasp and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you."

The silence between them was awkward. They had hardly spoken since their tiff in the shower and the news they received from Mordin and Chakwas. Shepard and Garrus tried to avoid the other since they landed on Omega and this was the first time they were alone with each other.

"You should have let me finished what I started."

Shepard stared up at the Turian, lightly shaking her head as she allowed her hands to fall to her side.

"Look, I know you're upset, but I could have handled that."

"Really? You always tell me to follow my instincts and I did. I just wanted to protect you. What do you want from me, Shepard?"

"Garrus..."

Her hand started to slowly shift, making it's way to his face, but just before her fingertips could graze over his toughened skin, he grabbed her hand with his own, staring down into her dark brown orbs with his sapphire ones. She returned his gaze, moving her body closer to him while her eyes scanned their way down to his lip plates. In one fell swoop, Garrus clutched her hand tighter in his and pulled her closer to him, slipping his free hand to rest at the small of her back as he leaned in, planting a firm, yet gentle kiss on her soft lips. Turning his head to the side, he opened his mouth, pressing his warm tongue against hers. He held her tightly against him as they kissed, moving their tongues in unison. After a moment, Garrus pulled away and murmured into her mouth,

"You're such a stubborn woman..."

"Let's go. We should head back before the others think something's happened to us..."