With the annoyance of the silence and obvious discomfort of his lover, he gently took her hand. The waiting room for the final meeting with the Commander had been a place that Lana had dreamed of. But now, it was nothing short of a nightmare.
"It's going to be alright Lana. This... this is good." Vann reassured.
After what felt light an eternity, Lana finally lifted her head and gazed into the turian's eyes; their usual emerald shimmer now glassy with uncertainty. Forcing a smile, she lifted her other hand so she could caress his cheek.
"I know." She mumbled, "It's not me who I'm worried about, I know what I'm going to do. I'm gonna go home and... and just be peaceful. But Vann, if you're adamant that you're not changing your mind then you-"
Vann quickly interrupted with a stoic shaking of his head.
"I'm sure Lana. I know I'm making the right choice, and it's a chance I won't get again, it's just as much an opportunity for me as it is a breakthrough for you. Please, don't worry, and trust me when I say I'm telling the truth."
Lana's smile was genuine now, as she whispered 'okay'. Vann was so different to when they first met; in a positive way of course. He was no longer confined in his own silence, his confidence flourishing. It was wonderful to see.
Finally, the door to the meeting room opened, and out stepped the Commander, with eyes as icy as a planet without a Sun.
"We're ready for you now, Lana."
Lana and Vann looked to each other and nodded before standing and entering the room. It was a simple, be it large rectangular room with a great, oval shaped table in the centre, taking up most of it. The three took a seat so that the Commander was face to face with his two former crew.
"So, Lana-" He began, clearing his throat before continuing, "this is it, your resignation from the Armageddon."
Lana nodded, "Yes Sir, I have waited just over two years for this resignation. A place has been offered to me on the Citadel, a home, and I just want to get it before someone else does."
"I am aware of that, and you have my permission to do so. But it is our armoury specialist's choice I wish to speak to you about. Vann?" The Commander turned to Vann,who instantly responded with a polite 'yes Sir'.
"It has come to my attention that you also wish to resign from the Armageddon. Whilst I cannot prevent you from doing so, might I ask why this decision was made?" The Commander asked, leaning towards the table as if to hear some fascinating gossip.
"Well Sir, an opportunity has arisen on the Citadel, a position as a C-Sec officer, a chance I also do not want to miss." He explained.
"And... well, I love Lana, and want to be with her."
Commander Davis nodded, letting out a rather loud sigh.
"Very well then, off you go."
The two stared in confusion.
"Really? Tha- that easily?" Lana asked.
The Commander grinned and turned to Lana.
"I mean no second opinion or papers or-"
"What, do you want me to change my mind?" The Commander asked dryly.
"No no!" The two said in unison.
"Then get the hell out!"
The Commander practically threw them out of the room, waving as they limped away with confusion plastered onto their faces. As they turned a corridor and were gone, Davis crossed his arms and strolled back into the room, before laughing hysterically.
"So long, love birds." He sang to himself, internally cursing them for actually being happy.
Saying goodbye to Rani and Jason was especially hard for Lana. They were the only friends she had on the entire ship before Vann appeared, and she knew that her gratitude to them was endless. Hugging the two of them as tightly as possible, Lana thanked them at least twelve times before they silenced her.
"Hey, stop acting like you're about to die or something like that, we'll visit you whenever we come to the Citadel!" Jason laughed with assurance.
"I'm gonna miss having to snap you out of those daydreams though." He finished, smirking.
"Promise you'll keep in touch even when we're not there though, you hear?" Rani requested, wagging her finger at her friend.
"I will, of course I will! Besides, I know if I don't answer your call, my omni-tool will be forever playing my ringtone." Lana smiled, hugging her friend one last time.
"So is my paperwork all sorted?"
"Ah screw paperwork! Go and check out you're new place, and make sure you invite us to the house warming!"
"Okay. No paperwork... I like the sound of that."
The three, as well as most of the people present instantly burst into laughter. Lana knew she'd miss that.
From the window of the small shuttle, Lana could see a fraction of their new house, as well as the shimmering reflection of the skyscrapers and the Citadel's radiant blue sky. Even when the ship has landed, and the doors opened, she stared at that one fraction, pondering the rest. The rest of everything.
"You coming? Or are we moving in here?" Vann asked, reaching his hand out to Lana practically asking for her to stand.
"Ha, I didn't know you could be funny." Lana joked, taking his hand. As they stepped out, the light of the Citadel obscured her sight for a few seconds, making her squint towards the direction of her home. Even when her sight was fine, she still didn't fully comprehend it. The house was only small, but it was quaint and difference. It was perfect. Just inside, she turned to the turian who had saved her life and asked an odd question.
"So, what next?"
The turian smiled, looking down at the floor for a few seconds, before looking back to her.
"How about adoption?"
THE END.
Here it is, the long overdue ending! I'm so sorry for the wait, I've just been really busy recently.
I've really enjoyed writing this, and I hope to write more fanfics in the future!