I wrote another chapter, yay. Between writing the 30th chapter of my DA fic, taking care of my kids, replaying ME2 again and doing other things. I'm slacking a bit too :p but here it is. Hooray! \o/

EDIT2: Big thanks to Razzberry31 for editing and correcting :)

oOo

"How is it?" After a whole day of working with Joker on EDI, Garrus was exhausted. He left the pilot for a moment to take a stroll around the Normandy. Checking on the crew. At the end he entered Engineering to see everyone in a rush. Tali and Gabby were typing furiously on their respectives consoles. Adams was kneeling next to an opening in the floor. Garrus suspected Donnelly was inside. The man only nodded to the turian, as for the women, it was like they hadn't noticed Vakarian at all. He approached the quarian and shook her arm. "Tali?"

"Keelah, Garrus!" She jumped in surprise, head turned to him. "Don't scare me like that, you bosh'tet! I'm working here." Her bright eyes under the mask where round. She must have been really scared. Garrus shrugged and patted the quarian on the back.

"That's why I came here. To ask how is it. And… sorry." Tali'Zorah only waved her hand.

"Fine, fine. We're working as fast as we can… but without EDI or a VI at least, it will take time. With the VI from the SR1 it would take one day. With EDI, several hours. Engine will be restarted in around… ummm… 8 hours. Then we will run a check-up… this will take 8 hours tops. When everything turns out good with the Normandy, we will make a trial run." Garrus moved his gaze toward the engine, now offline. A memory of Shepard leaning on the rail, watching the engine with a faint smile. She always came to watch it when she wanted to calm her thoughts. He sighed deeply. Tali watched him, she knew what he was thinking about. "Umm, Garrus… I suppose it won't matter to you… but I strongly believe she made it. When we get back to Earth, she will jump on us all and break our necks with hugs. And then, as always she will insult us in her maturity." Garrus snorted. Yes, Shepard always called them names. Like Space Lizard, Armored Fairy for Tali or Little Tank Baby for Grunt, which made the krogan cranky. But Garrus had this feeling sometimes that Grunt really wanted to be Shepard's baby.

"Yeah, my favourite is Space Dinosaur with mandibles. I really don't know how she makes them up." He propped himself on the rail, watching the engine. "You really think she made it?" The little quarian woman nodded. He saw the movement with corner of his eyes. "I… I don't know Tali. It would be a fucking miracle… second one. I can't... Attending her funeral was… you know how it was for me... I felt like an empty shell and this feeling is catching up with me now." Garrus hung his head in defeat. He really didn't know what to do next, he was afraid to know… he was afraid to see a coffin again, empty or not. Tali observed the turian. She knew damn well what he felt. She was there, at the first funeral. She saw his misery when he knew of Shepard's death. Keelah, Shepard, don't be dead. Don't make him relive the same shit again.

"Garrus, stop. We will repair the engine, we will run EDI again and we will go to Earth. And only then, will Admiral Hackett tell us straight to our faces that Shepard is dead… only then, Garrus! We will mourn." He nodded, not saying a word. "And only then, Vakarian. Remember that. Now get upstairs to your cabin and go to sleep. You look bad."

"I don't need sleep, Tali." He said and got a smack on the head. "What's that for?"

"For spreading bullshit in my temple. Now go and sleep. I have work to do." The quarian showed him with a hand where he should go. Her stubbornness made him wary. As Garrus didn't want to argue he agreed. "One thing." Tali's hand moved up and she commed Joker. "Joker, make sure Garrus goes to bed for at least eight hours."

"Will do, Tali." Comm crackling with Joker's reply. "Hey Garrus, I know you could hear that so tug your scaly ass to bed. I'll handle coding for now." Tali cocked her head and thought about something for a moment.

"What's the progress by now, Joker?" The pilot didn't respond for a while, considering what to say perhaps. It was a tough job to put all the programing together. He had barely managed to do about 10% of it, or even less considering that it was getting more difficult as it went on. Garrus and Tali looked at each other when the silence prolonged.

"Uh… It's too much, Tali. I hope you will help us when you finish with the engines." Joker hesitated for a moment then begged with a voice thick with emotions. "Please, Tali, I beg you. Help me. I need her back." Plea in his voice palpable, they didn't see his face, but knew that Joker wasn't the begging type. It would take all his courage to be that now.

"Joker…" Tali looked up as though she could somehow see him in the ceiling. "Everything will be fine, trust me. We will get her working in no time." She turned to Garrus. He wanted so badly to know what the young quarian thought or what expression she made under her mask. Vakarian could only imagine it was concern mixed up with willingness to do everything for her friends. He waved her goodbye and went to Shepard and his cabin. When he entered, the first thing that hit him was her scent. It was everywhere and his turian superior sense of smell could still find it all over the room. Garrus lay down on the bed and moved his gaze to the sky, it was sunset on Cyone. He was sleepy, yes, yet thoughts ran through his mind at FTL speed. He didn't want to feel the same as the last time again. When Shepard died, first time, it was like the end for him. When he parted with her three weeks prior, he wanted to tell her his feelings. That he cared for her more than a friend. He wanted her. He wanted her so badly. Still Garrus couldn't tell why he fell in love with a human female. Still he didn't know why it happened and when. But it did. And when this small and squishy yet strong and unstoppable force in a human body died, he died as well. Internally. Yes, he wanted to finish his spectre training. And yes, he was trying to convince anyone who dared to listen that the Reapers were still a threat. But then he realised that the bullshit around the Citadel made him only crazy… And there was also the funeral. He was there, his eyes locked on the coffin the whole ceremony. Spirits, help me, if I wasn't just an empty shell back then. People talked to him, asked questions but he didn't respond. Thankfully Liara and Tali took him away from those idiots, because if he would have snapped out of his stupor he would've ripped them apart with just one taloned finger. After her funeral he drank for… What it was? A week. Two? I don't remember that time at all. Then Liara talked some sense into him. Decisions were made, no more Council and Citadel bullshit. No more C-Sec bullshit. He needed some action, he needed to do something right. He took the first shuttle to anywhere. Spirits only knows why it was to Omega. For two years he lived like a cyborg, shooting those who oppressed the weak and needy. Shooting and surviving. But things got out of control, his squadmates died because of his lack of judgment. Sidonis, you bastard. And when he felt that was over, that his life was forfeit, his angel came to face him. They called me Archangel…? What a piece of crap. She is an angel, the only angel that is worth the name. Shepard saved him. His Shepard was there, with him. Alive. First of all he thought he was delirious. But no, she WAS THERE. In the flesh. Jane came to him and when he took his helmet off, he could confess in every court, that that radiant smile on her face was more bright than any sun in the galaxy. In a matter of seconds she was hugging him like her life depended on it. How? When? He didn't know either, and didn't care, all this talk that turians were the apex predators be damned. Simple thoughts of having her in his arms was enough. After their emotional reunion she went to kill the suicidal mercs. Why suicidal? Because no one messes with Shepard and stays alive. Especially not when both of us are on the battleground. Especially when her friend is in danger. Of course they didn't know it till they got themselves killed. Garrus and Shepard thought it was the end until the Blue Suns appeared and he took a rocket to the face. To be honest, he didn't care about himself, he only cared that she was alive. But then he saw the woman's face, hanging above him. Shouting something he couldn't hear. Her face made Garrus' heart break into pieces. Shepard's face showing true agony, despair… So the turian made a deal with the Spirits, Gods, and every fucking deity in the galaxy. To make him stay alive. Just for her. So she wouldn't have to make that face again. Put your shit together, Garrus, you won't mean the same thing to her like she does to you. You know damn well how it hurts. She doesn't deserve that. That would be so low. He survived. The memory of their reunion on the Normandy SR2 flashed in front of his eyes.

oO Flashback Oo

He woke up, bright lights hurt his eyes so he shut them again. When his gaze accustomed to the light he started to look around, spotting Dr. Chakwas typing on her computer. Another familiar person. The silver haired woman noticed quickly that he was awake. "Officer Vakarian. So good to see you again. Don't stand up. You had major surgery just yesterday." He grunted and laid down for a moment to collect himself.

"I'm fine, Doc. Really. Where is Shepard? Is she… is she real?" Chakwas only snorted at the question. She came closer to him, smiling warmly.

"Vakarian, don't tell me that you, of all people, didn't recognize her at first sight." He sighed. Yes, he did. Garrus knew that she was HIS Shepard. No arguing that. But there were questions building in him. Was she really dead the whole time? Why didn't she contact him? Why did she join Cerberus for fuck sake? There was anger building in him.

"I did. But…" He sat up again and regarded the human doctor for a moment. "Doc, I feel fine. I need to go talk to her. I need it, please." His legs moved toward the edge of the bed. The doctor hadn't stopped him so he flung them on the floor and stood up. "See. I feel great, besides a slight ache on my right side. How is it…?" His three-fingered hand reached up to his mandible. He could feel the uneven surface of his mandible. Scars. Spirits… that's just great.

"I had to patch you up with cybernetics. But aside from scarring it's all good. And your brain and other organs weren't damaged." She opened her omni-tool to run through the data. "Brain waves are showing normal. Fine, Garrus. Go to Shepard, she is in the Briefing Room. Just go up with the elevator to Deck 2."

"Ok. Thanks, Doc… for everything." She waved him goodbye and he left. Up with the elevator. When he exited a young woman approached him.

"Hello… um… Sir. I'm Yeoman Kelly Chambers. If you want to talk to the Commander I'll show you the way. Please, come with me." The woman guided him through the doors on the left, through the armory, and then by the corridor to the Briefing Room. He could a hear man talking behind the door.

"Commander. We've done what we could for Garrus, but he took a bad hit. The doc's corrected with surgical procedures and some cybernetics. Best we can tell, he'll have full functionality, but..."

"Don't give me that bullshit, Jacob! He's strong! Stronger than anyone! Just shut up and…" Garrus could hear how Shepard was shaken by his state. He didn't wait any longer and entered the room.

"Shepard." Garrus came in. Feeling of relief flushed him. Yes, that was her. He was 100% sure of it. The dark skinned human snorted.

"Tough son of a bitch. Didn't think you'd be up yet." Jane turned toward Vakarian with that radiant smile of hers again. He could smell her scent, and something lurking there. He didn't yet know that it was the scent of her arousal. Only later, when they engaged themselves in 'blowing off steam' activities he learned that she had wanted him for a long time. Garrus approached them with smirk.

"Nobody would give me a mirror. How bad it is?" Shepard crossed her arms and leaned on the table with a wry smirk.

"Hell, Garrus, you were always ugly. Slap some face-paint on there, and no one will even notice." That was his Shepard, mischievous little minx. Always with the crappy jokes about everyone. He laughed but pain radiated from his right mandible and neck.

"Ha-ah! Don't make me laugh, damn it. My face is barely holding together as it is." He started walking even closer to Shepard. Continuing with his seductive voice. He couldn't stop it. "Some women find facial scars attractive. Mind you, most of those women are krogan…" Jane giggled and shook her head in amusement. They were just like before, sharing shitty jokes and making idiots of themselves. Just like old times. Moments later Jacob saluted and left them alone. When the doors closed after him Garrus looked at the woman with concern. "Frankly, I'm more concerned about you. Cerberus, Shepard? You remember those sick experiments they were doing?"

"Don't even start, big guy. I'm sick of them. We don't have to trust 'em. Hell, we won't. But there is something bigger going on and right now they are a necessary evil. I need their resources to get this done. Just remember one thing I'm not with them, I'm helping to solve this." Garrus regarded her face, she was radiating with confidence and strength as always. But still questions about her death or rather disappearance lurked in his mind. And he got angry again. He wanted to take it out on her, just not now… not here. He nodded to her.

"I'm fit for duty whenever you need me, Shepard." He replied a bit too coldly. "I'll settle in and see what I can do with the forward battery." Her face showed a bit of shock and pain when he said that. He turned on his heel and went outside. Just after leaving he started scolding himself. Smug, Vakarian, very smug. You could slap her as well. Spirits, what will she think of me now…? His omni-tool pinged with the plan of the SR2, he flicked on it to get a route to the Main Battery. Soon he was there and, let's say it straight, he was impressed. Garrus opened a console and started to check the firing algorithms. He was so occupied with calibrating the gun and thinking about Shepard that he didn't notice the door to the room had opened.

"Garrus…?" Jane approached him, uncertain of what to say or do. "Are you busy?"

"Shepard." He replied coldly. Again, idiot?

"Listen, big guy. I... I…" She staggered on her word. "Do you want to watch some vids or play games with me? You see… I..." She hugged herself with her arms. Pain or maybe fear palpable on her face. Garrus regarded her for a second then took her into his arms.

"Shepard? What's wrong?" His over-protective instinct kicking right in. "Come, let's go to your quarters. Let's talk, bald pyjack, or you really go bald." She snorted at that comment yet sadness didn't vanish from her features. She guided him to the elevator and punched the button for Deck 1. When they got there Garrus gasped. "Damn, Shepard, your cabin is huge."

"Oh, yup. I was surprised as well. Let's sit on the couch." When they sat comfortably she looked at him for a few minutes in silence. She sighed deeply. "Garrus why are you mad at me?" Shepard asked bluntly. He looked at her then turned to avoid those piercing green eyes.

"I'm not mad." An obvious lie. He didn't know what to say or do.

"You are!" She shouted. "What have I done? I don't understand!"

"Really, Shepard, there is..." she stood up, interrupting him mid sentence.

"Don't give me this crap, Vakarian. You never lied to me. You have some issue with me so spit it out!" Her face red with anger, eyes watering. It should calm him yet it made him even more angry.

"You want to know?! Fine! How could you, Shepard! You haven't contacted me. You left me believing you died. Do you even know what I felt? What everyone felt?! I was at your fucking funeral!" He stopped, panting. She opened her mouth to reply but he was faster. "And then you show up again, selling me this crap about your death and Cerberus rebuilding you. What the hell, Shepard?" He didn't notice that he was also standing. Towering above her, his look predatory. But she wasn't intimidated at all, just sad.

"I died Garrus." Her gaze distant.

"Don't give me this shit..." Garrus turned his head away. He didn't want to listen to her lies again.

"I died!" He shook his head, denying her words.

"Bullshit. Shepard I knew you wouldn't just die..."

"I DIED!" She roared then covered her face with her hands. With a muffled voice she was repeating those two words. Her knees gave away and she collapsed. He could smell salt. Is she... crying? He knelt beside her and scooped her into his arms. She was so tense. His subharmonics hummed a soothing tone.

"Tell me what happened." She relaxed and took her hands off her face. Her face made him want to stab himself with a blunt knife repeatedly. How could I?

"W-we were looking f-for Geth when... w-we were suddenly attacked. It-it was hell, Garrus I saw my crew die. I couldn't do anything. I-I went to get Joker... and when I finally got his crippled ass t-to an escape pod...The Normandy was attacked again. Explosions made me fly into space. My-my armor was damaged... I..." Her hands moved toward her neck. Voice thick with fear. She choked on the words. "Oxygen was leaking, I started to suffocate... the pain... God, Garrus... the pain. I desperately wanted to breath but there was no oxygen. And then everything went black." Her fingers clutching her throat like she couldn't breath again, eyes wide from fear and memories. He pulled up with the woman still nestled in his arms, then sat on the couch. With her sitting on his lap. "From what I learned my body was… heavily burned when I entered Alchera's atmosphere."

"Shepard, I'm sorry… I'm such a jerk for not believing you…" Garrus took off his gloves then raked through her hair with his taloned fingers. "I just thought that you were hiding somewhere…"

"You really thought that?" She hung her head in defeat. Her best friend thought that of her? Drops of tears falling on her lap. "Hell, Garrus, I wouldn't be such an asshole. I just woke up from a comatosed state like three weeks ago. Cerberus… they somehow found my body… from what Jacob said it was just a dead, burned piece of meat." Her hand reached for the scars on her cheek, cybernetics glowing red beneath. "I'm afraid, big guy. I'm shitless scared… what if… I'm some sort of cyborg? A mech? What if I'm not the real Shepard, just some AI or other piece of crap?" Her eyes were looking for answers in his. Lucky for her, he had them.

"You are you, Shepard. Just one glance at you on the battlefield and I knew… your movement, your cautious eyes, seeing everything, searching for enemies... and then you came closer, I recognized that scent instantly. Besides, you have your memories, right? Of me? Of everyone?" She nodded. "You are real, Shepard. Just improved with cybernetics. Just like me." He smiled at her. Jane's eyes moved to look at his scarred mandible. She touched it lightly, like she was afraid she would shatter it with more pressure.

"Does it hurt?"

"Just a bit." Garrus sighed. "At least I'll get some credibility now… Before this, no one took me seriously. Damn."

"Oh yes, you were such a pretty boy. I still wonder why you ended up in C-Sec instead of Fornax." Shepard laughed then slid from him to the couch. Her face serious again. "I tried to contact you, Space Lizard. I really did. I asked every damn person who might know anything. Everyone said you went missing shortly after..." She gasped, unable to say the word.

"After your funeral." He ended her sentence. With a groan he leaned on the backrest, his head snapped back. "That was the worst time of my entire life. A true nightmare, Shepard… I wasn't myself when I heard…" Her small hand grabbed his and squeezed. That simple gesture of support made him at peace.

"Show me. I bet there are a lot of vids. I want to see it."

"Seriously, Shepard? You want to watch your own funeral now? With me?" His head turned slightly to look at her. "I thought that we would watch the new Blasto movie or you would make me watch some kinky asari porn to make me blush… but this…" He tried to joke, to slip away from this. Then he felt a light squeeze again.

"Please." With a huge sigh he typed a few commands on his omni-tool and found one of the many vids from the funeral. "Come, there's a huge screen next to my bed." They sat on the bed, leaning on the wall. In front of the bed a holo-screen appeared, Garrus sent the command to play the vid on it. They watched numerous speeches. First Admiral Hackett, then Anderson… Joker and Liara. After the speeches, the camera showed her crew in front of the empty coffin. She watched every face and then when Garrus' face showed up she gasped. Her eyes wide in shock and pain. "No… Garrus… I… I did this to you?" Vakarian's face on the holo screen looked in so much pain and misery. Lots of people don't have the ability to read turians but she did. And looking at the face now was like a living hell for her.

"Like I said, Shepard. I wasn't myself then. I…" He didn't finish as she was hugging him again. Her ragged breath on his neck. Then he heard faint sobs. "Hush. It's okay now. You are here. Alive. Don't take it out on yourself, Shepard. Don't blame yourself. I'm happy now. You can't even imagine how much."

"But…"

"No buts, pyjack. Just no. It's all in the past now." He pushed her back lightly or even all his self-control wouldn't stop him from doing something stupid. Garrus gazed at the woman's face. She was sad and also looked very tired. "Shepard… you look like crap. When did you last sleep properly…?"

"I… I can't sleep Garrus. I have nightmares about my death… I'm so afraid." Jane avoided his gaze, ashamed that she was scared. That she was weak.

"Okay, that's it, Shepard. Go change into your sleeping clothes and you're going to bed."

"Hey, I'm CO here, Vakarian." She frowned, a small smile returned to her lips.

"Pulling rank on me, huh? That's sexy. But as your friend I don't give a damn. Go. Now." He growled with his subharmonics. Shepard smiled wide at the sound he was making. She stood up and went to grab her sleeping pants and top, then vanished into the bathroom for a few moments. When she emerged in her sleeping clothes, Garrus had to pull all his control not to groan in lust. Why did this human female make him so horny? She tugged herself into bed. Vakarian started to pull himself up when she stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "What…?"

"Don't go. I don't want to be alone. Just tonight, okay?" The plea in her voice was so strong that he couldn't do anything else than just lie down next to her. "But please, take that armor off."

"What else, Shepard? Geez, you ordering me around in my free time." She snorted and he also made a short laugh. "Okay, wait a moment." Garrus didn't believe he really was doing it. He took his armor off, staying in his undersuit only. "Is that fine, Commander?"

"Oh, you're now pulling rank. Sweet. Talk dirty to me more." Her bright smile almost melted him. He tugged himself next to her. "Let's watch that new Blasto, Space Dragon."

"Space Dragon? That's new. From lizard to Dragon. Did I just level up or something?" The turian opened his omni-tool again and with a few commands the vid started on the holo-screen.

"You and your ego. Impressive. I bet I won't get to watch even half of it." Jane moved closer to him and laid her head on his arm. For twenty minutes she was really watching the movie, yawning from time to time then she fell asleep. Her even, calm breath made Garrus smile to himself. He stopped the movie and just lay there with her till he also dozed off.

oOo

Next day Garrus woke up well rested. Dreaming about Shepard made it a good nights sleep. He put his civvies on and went to the mess hall to grab something to eat. Then he went to Joker to continue working on EDI's coding. Just around midday they got a signal of an approaching shuttle. No hostile signs were showing, and the computer identified it as an Asari commando vehicle. He went outside and was greeted by three Asari. "Greetings, we are Cyone's commandos. We got a signal on our scans that some ship crashed in the jungle and… by the Goddess!" The leading asari gasped and looked back at the rest of the women. "It's the Normandy! How? When?" Garrus approached them and explained that the pilot had made a mistake and he didn't jump to the Rendezvous Point. Instead they crashed here and are in the middle of repairing all the damage. "I see. Please just let me say thank you for all you did. When the Reapers fell… it was unbelievable! How can we assist you? We have resources, food, meds. What do you need?"

"We need eezo and fuel. Dextro and levo food would also be appreciated." Garrus replied, smiling to himself. At last good news. An asari commed their Commanders and soon shuttles and trucks came with everything they needed. Just after everything was loaded onto the Normandy, Tali radioed Garrus that the engine is working again. Vakarian thanked the Asaris and soon they were flying again. Garrus sat on the co-pilot seat to oversee a trial run. They flew for two hours till Tali commed them again.

"Everything is fine. Engine is stable. Eezo stocks will help a great deal. You can approach the Mass Relay to make a jump. Tali out." Joker smiled to himself.

"Let's rock and roll, baby." They flew with FTL speed toward the Mass Relay till Joker got strange signals. He stood up, looked out the window and shouted. "What the fuck is that?!"

"What?" Garrus looked at Jeff, shocked.

"Mass Relay… it's offline… it's broken! Just look! Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" Joker sat down again and stayed silent for a long moment. "Okay, we need to travel without jumps. It will take longer than we anticipated…"

"Like how long?" Garrus started to panic internally. Without relays, the whole galaxy was stuck. He couldn't control himself and let out a panicked keen.

"At least 5 months." The turian keen became much louder.

"Fuck, Joker… But let's keep calm." Thoughts in his mind ran like mad but after a long moment he came up with a plan. "Listen. We have food rations for at a year, at least. And lots of eezo so we can fly with FTL speed for a long time. We can also scan planets for it in the meantime." Garrus had to stay calm for everyone. He made that plan brief but it could work. "We need to repair comm arrays to get access to comm buoys. Try to get a signal."

"That's some plan, Garrus. Fine. Let's fly back to Earth."

oOo

After two weeks in hospital, Jane was cleared to leave. As Hackett informed her, she had a small apartment in the Alliance Fleet building waiting for her. For two weeks of challenging rehab, she gained full functionality again. Before she left Kasumi along with Jack brought her some cloths and cleaning supplies. Shepard washed herself and tucked in, she couldn't believe it, an N7 casual uniform and black blouse. It was good, familiar. She felt like herself again. After that the three of them took a stroll. Jane watched as buildings were repaired by drones, still a lot of damage had to be taken care of. But London was rebuilding. It certain didn't look like the piece of rubble from a few weeks ago. People were coming to the city again, reclaiming their homes. Shops were running again. People were working and smiling again. And Shepard smiled as well. They won. When they reached her apartment, Shepard sat down on the couch and sighed. Kasumi sat next to her. "What's up, Shepard? Tired?"

"From that mere walk? Kas, please… I'm just happy and overwhelmed." She bit her lip, thinking deeply. "Just have to wait for the Primarch to leave Earth."

"You really sure that you want to go, Shep?" Jack asked, concern visible on her face. Yes, normally she wouldn't give any flying fucks about anyone… but Shepard was her friend. And now she was doing something stupid in her opinion. "I don't really think that's a good choice."

"See, Kas? Jack's such a softy. So sweet Jack." Shepard grinned wryly to Jack. In response the biotic gave her the finger.

"Screw you. I'm just concerned… I can be, for fuck sake! We… We are friends, right?" Jack blushed and both Kasumi and Shepard gaped at her.

"Whoa, Jack's blushing. Kasumi take a photo for me." Jane stood up and approached the tattoed woman. She put her hand on Jack's arm and smiled warmly. "Yes, we are. But I need to go. Don't worry. Doctor Ionnas and Doctor Shakria will be with me."

"Umm, Shepard…? Can I go with you…?" Kasumi asked. Shepard turned to face the Japanese thief and nodded.

"You want to?" The thief agreed. "I'll be more than happy to have you beside me, Kas." Jack squirmed in place.

"Shepard… sorry I can't go as well. I need to take care of my kids. Those idiots still need a lot of training. Besides… fuck, I don't want to leave Zaeed. A good lay is hard to find nowadays."

"It's fine. Don't worry. Kasumi will be there with me. Keep an eye on Messani, Jack." Soon after Jack had to go. Kasumi and Jane made themselves a meal from the supplies in the refrigerator. That afternoon the thief also had to leave. When Shepard was alone she opened her omni-tool and wrote another message to Garrus.

[ Hey, Big Guy!

I got a new apartment. But it's

just for now. I'm just waiting for

Victus to order the departure. Just…

what should I do now? I don't

know what to do… I miss you.

With you here we could get up to

so much fun. Like not leaving

bed for a whole week. Remember

our shore leave just before

the end of this shitty war? In

my apartment on the Citadel?

I really thought I'd make you

blush that time with all the kinky

stuff I prepared. But don't worry

next time I'll prepare something

even better.

Just come back to me, G.

Love, J. ]

oOo

Timeline for Shepard and Garrus will eventually become even at some point. Garrus time is only like 3 days after Destroy ending, Shepard's time is around a month after the event. But now I will speed up a bit so in the next chapter they will have the same time. Or I hope at least… :P