I promised you guys a Valentine's Day chapter, and here it is! A little early, but please enjoy! Luv all of you! :)

"Dreams never die; when we sleep

Beneath the open sky; and the deep

Shades overhead

Of Blue and Red"

-Owl City, Blue and Red

He fingered the tiny box in his pocket, shifting uncomfortably in his suit. It was cool out here, too cool for him, and the suit he wore was a little thin. But he wouldn't leave. Too long he'd waited for this moment, and though he'd technically proposed, this time it was going to be for real. He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to rid himself of his anxiety. He hoped she would like it more than the traditional fancy dinner despite being roused in the middle of the night. Two weeks had passed since her release from the hospital, and the doctors finally gave her permission to leave the planet. He'd already purchased tickets, but he wanted to do this before they left. It was much harder to see the stars where they would be headed off to.

He'd set this up as a surprise, insisting on not telling her the details. When she'd asked why, he'd told her just be there. He'd slipped out of the house around 2 a.m. and sent a message at 2:30 to wake her. The problem was, she hadn't responded. He checked his omni. It was nearing 3 a.m, and if Shepard didn't hurry, the surprise would be ruined. He compulsively checked his tool again. 2:54. Damn it. He'd lose his nerve if he kept checking his tool every minute, and he took a deep breath. Hurry up, Shepard….

"Garrus? You out here?"

He started, turned and saw her. She wandered across the grass towards him, probably half-blind in the almost pitch-darkness. He felt suddenly very glad he'd worn his visor.

"Shepard."

"Hey, Spikes."

Her teeth shone for a short moment as she made her way to him, and he pulled her into his embrace. "I wanted this to be a surprise."

"What are we doing out here, big guy? Looking at the stars?"

"You'll see." He told her slyly. "Sit down. I brought a blanket."

He sat next to her, and she plunked down next to him without an ounce of grace.

"So what am I supposed to be seeing out here anyway?"

"Just wait, Shepard."

"Patience isn't one of my strong points, Garrus." She told him, flashing another grin.

He checked his omni-tool. "Don't worry." He put an arm around her. "Come here. You're freezing."

"I'm fine, Garrus. Honestly." She lied. He could feel the tiny bumps on her arms that indicated her body temperature had dropped and refused to let go. She relaxed into him centimeter by centimeter as his body heat washed over her, cuddling up against his cowl.

"Mmm. You're warm." She murmured after a few minutes, putting her arms around him.

"See? You were cold." He chided. She rolled her eyes.

"Whatever." She shifted against him. "I can't see a damn thing out here. Other than stars."

"Do you want to try my visor on?"

"…Sure." She sounded puzzled. He pulled it off and handed it over, helping her clip it on in the dark. Unlike her, he could see quite well without it.

"…This thing is heavy. How can you stand wearing it all the time?"

"Human necks aren't as muscular. There." He activated it with a button press. "Now look at the stars."

She craned her neck up and whispered a soft "wow". He smiled broadly. He knew what she saw; constellations, both turian and human, outlined in the stars.

"Is this what you always see through your visor?"

He snorted. "You've worn it before; you should know."

"Yes, but never to go stargazing before. This thing is amazing."

"I'm glad you like it."

She continued gazing upward, looking about this way and that, then leaned back on him, yawning hugely.

"Think I'm gonna take a nap…" She murmured.

"You do that. I'll wake you later."

He pulled his cloak around their shoulders as Shepard took his visor off, wrapping them both in its warmth. She snuggled up to him under his arm and closed her eyes.

He stared out at the stars, waiting expectantly. It was late, and he felt a stab of concern. What if he had recorded the wrong day? Shepard's breathing slowed into the easy rhythm of sleep before he saw the first one: a streak of silver light across the sky. The meteor shower had begun.

He waited for a long moment, making sure it wasn't a fluke, but the meteors only came thicker and faster.

"Shepard. Shepard, wake up."

Her eyes opened, and her face scrunched in displeasure. "What, Garrus? I had just-"

"Look up."

She gasped as meteor after meteor streaked past overhead, then stood, her head tracking the shooting stars as they sped across the night sky. He swallowed, suddenly trembling as he again felt the tiny box in his pocket. He carefully pulled the cloak off his shoulders, getting to one knee. Her wrists were pale in the moonlight, and he reached out and took hers, finally drawing her attention away from the meteorites.

"Shepard," His voice had become embarrassingly hoarse. Her eyes widened as she saw the ring box in his other hand. "Will you marry me?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, putting a hand to her mouth, which had spread wide in a brilliant smile. He started as he saw tears gather in the corner of her eyes. He pulled her into his arms.

"Don't cry," he told her, an upset edge to his tone. She gave a hiccuping laugh.

"Oh, Garrus." She murmured, wiping tears from her eyes. "I…I…Yes. Of course."

He gently reached out and wiped the tears from her face, then leaned down and kissed her, long and deep. When he broke away, he could feel the cool dampness of her tears on his face as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The light from his visor caught it, illuminating the band. A set of rubies and a pair of small sapphires flanked the large diamond,all held between two entwined angel wings beautifully crafted in gold.

"Garrus, it's beautiful. Thank you."

He put his arm around her. "Do you want to stay here or…?"

"Let's stay. Just for a few minutes."

As he held her, watching the meteors, a deep, contented thrumming worked his way up his throat. In his subvocals, he repeated the same thing over and over again, letting it vibrate through his throat and chest so that his beloved would feel it: I love you more than life itself. She looked up at him, eyes still sparkling with tears, and leaned close. His ears barely picked out her whisper.

"I love you too, Garrus Vakarian."